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Reform is the key in the wake of election loss

The elections are over. Those who have suffered the most in the process are those who support localization.

On the outside, they had to choose between China and Taiwan, while privately, they were dissatisfied with the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) weakness, its inability and corruption. They had to decide whether to vote or to abstain, while the biased media supported the pan-blue camp by covering up a dozen lies with a single truth and the DPP was slandered nightly on the TV news.

Supporters were further hurt by the government's response to the allegations, which was far too low key and weak -- often right, but never forceful. As a result, the DPP lost seats in city after city, county after county and had to suffer the bitter taste of defeat.

Before the elections, I said that if, after five years of weak government and constant straying from its core values, the DPP was not given a good shake up, then the party would be at great risk in the legislative and presidential elections scheduled for 2007 and 2008, respectively. If, however, a loss in the local elections could be exchanged for victory in those elections, it would be an acceptable strategy.

Taiwan's immediate future is closely connected to President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁). The opposition's strongest criticism of Chen has long been that he focuses on elections while neglecting national politics.

It is hoped that the president can temporarily forget about the party and cast off the DPP's electoral burden. Instead he should concentrate on becoming a true national leader who during his last two years in office. He should focus on national politics and formulate a new long-term direction for Taiwan while staying away from the issue of who will become the next chairman of the DPP.

He should also use this as an opportunity to reshuffle the government and appoint able people regardless of party affiliation, just as he did during his term as Taipei mayor.

He should also review his team of bureaucrats. Although youth equals vigor, knowledge is something that comes from experience, and we no longer want a team of boy scouts leading our nation.

He must stay true to Taiwan while looking to the world. In particular, he must not miss the opportunity offered by an awakening India. He should also mend the crisis initiated by the China bias by doing all he can to make up for five years of treading water.

For the DPP to avoid a split, soul searching and a systematic review of areas such as the nomination system are crucial. During a previous election campaign, a struggle between Deputy Minister of the Interior Chang Wen-ying (張溫鷹) and Deputy Minister of National Defense Tsai Ming-hsien (蔡明憲) led to the loss of Taichung.

In these elections the struggle between Tsai Huang-lang (蔡煌瑯) and Nantou County Commissioner Lin Tsung-nan (林宗男) led to the loss of Nantou County. What is wrong with giving the incumbent preference in the selection process? Especially if the candidate has not done anything wrong.

It is hoped that after severing its ties with Chen, the DPP will be able to demonstrate the same vigor and dynamism it did during its years in opposition and that it will re-appear as a clean and reformist party capable of tightening party discipline, weeding out the rotten eggs, keeping the competent and working hard for the future of Taiwan.

The party must never again fail local voters and its long-term supporters.

Kuo Chang-feng is a doctor and member of the Northern Taiwan Society.

Translated by Perry Svensson
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