Finding a way out for Taiwan's future

Trying to break free

Furthermore, the PFP as a result might be able to spearhead the opposition force. If the DPP does not work with the KMT, it would have to work with the PFP in order to have a majority coalition government. However, too large a gap exists between the ideals of the PFP and the DPP, making the basis of their cooperation relatively weak.

In any event, it will probably be too difficult for the DPP to seek inter-party cooperation at this point, as the opposition alliance has already emerged. While an alliance between any one of the opposition parties and the DPP may help the DPP enjoy a legislative majority and help accomplish political stability, the clash with the opposition alliance would remain severe.

In a newly-released book, An Account of Lee Teng-hui in Power (李登輝執政告白實錄), the former president points out that since the transfer of power to the DPP, the minority government has been incapable of operating efficiently.

The book says that the alliance between the three opposition parties, and the collapse of the "localized" faction within the KMT, have given rise to the need for a re-organization of the political dynamics and the structure of Taiwan's democracy. President Chen has also echoed Lee's views by stating that a split and reorganization of the political parties is inevitable. The DPP will join forces with those in the opposition who share its ideals and support reform to organize a stabilized legislative majority.

A second way for President Chen to break free of the constraints of a minority government would be to work with individual lawmakers to organize a legislative majority. This scenario is more compatible with the norms and principles of restructuring political dynamics. Seeking cooperation with those holding similar ideologies and ideals is the basic principle of power division and reorganization.

Therefore, if the DPP is able to obtain 85 seats at the year-end election and the "localized" faction within the KMT and the independent faction could win between 30-35 seats, then the latter group may organize a new party or group based on Taiwan consciousness to form a coalition government with the DPP.

As the political parties of Taiwan are divided along ideological and ethnic lines, the DPP must reach out to the KMT and independent factions holding Taiwanese consciousness in order to enjoy a legislative majority.

President Chen must also appoint a person with a localized background and seasoned political experience as the premier, so that Taiwan can undergo a peaceful transfer of legislative power after the peaceful transfer of executive power last year.

Help Taiwan establish a new political mainstream. Resolve the constitutional contradictions of a presidential and "co-habitation" systems under Taiwan's unique "semi-presidential" system of government. Find a way out for Taiwan's future.

Lee Chang-kuei is the president of the Taipei Times.