Draw the curtains on the DPP farce

Ever since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost the Dec. 3 local government elections, those who care about Taiwan and pro-localization political parties have called on the DPP to get serious about reform and win back popular support. Until it does, it cannot stand up to the ever-growing threat posed by China.

The party cannot allow this defeat to tear apart localization forces within the nation. Such an outcome would only boost the momentum of the pro-China forces, with serious implications for the next generation. In the space of just a few days following the election, the party leadership was plunged into internal conflict. In fact, the infighting within the party has descended into farce -- which doesn't bode well for the future of Taiwan.

Having suffered the recent election debacle, the DPP did indeed show signs of wanting to change. DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) resigned to take political responsibility for the DPP's defeat. After days of soul-searching, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) also recently pointed out, in his weekly electronic newsletter published on his Web site, that he would accept the people's verdict, take responsibility for the mistakes and work towards restoring the DPP's reputation as an uncorrupt, hard-working party.

Following the elections, Chen even mentioned in a public speech the importance of reforming the 18 percent preferential rates enjoyed by retired public servants.

Regrettably, these attempts to revamp the party were but a flash in the pan. In the last few days we saw an even more ludicrous farce unfold when Chen asked Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) to remain in his post. Although Chen said that he would not accept Hsieh's verbal resignation at this time, he did not actually ask Hsieh to stay on.

This didn't stop Hsieh and his aides from telling the media that he had accepted Chen's request to remain in office. In view of this, we cannot help but wonder if Hsieh has truly understood the negative impact that the government's failings had on the elections, or if he ever really intended to resign from his post.

The second farce took place when Chen and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) openly criticized one another by trading insults through the media. In fact, the bad blood between Chen and Lu did not occur overnight. However, the situation is bordering on hostile, simply because of Lu's decision to serve as acting chairperson of the DPP. In addition, both have behaved badly as a result of critical remarks made by both sides. In fact, the DPP's acting chair post is no more than a transitional position. The tenure is only about a month and the main task is to organize the party chairperson elections. Therefore, it is pointless for the acting chairperson to elaborate on the details of the reforms that the party is planning to pursue.

Moreover, the president should not care too much about who fills the acting chairperson post. Unfortunately, the misunderstanding between Chen and Lu is so serious that it has deteriorated into a long litany of criticisms about each other made through the media.

Voters have taught the DPP a lesson in the recent poll, in the hope that the party can genuinely pursue reform, hold on to the drive toward localization, address its failings and continue to fight for Taiwanese awareness. While conducting an internal review, the DPP should discuss the future development of the party, what ideals the party should uphold, and the policy it wants to follow to appeal to the public. It needs to consider how to ensure and protect the interests of all Taiwanese if it is to live up to their expectations.

However, Hsieh's claims of being asked to stay on as premier and the verbal brawl between Chen and Lu just go to show how DPP heavyweights are scrambling for power, even to the extent that they have allowed themselves a public display of emotions. This has not only shifted the focus away from reform itself, it has also offended the party's supporters.

To be sure, even if the DPP was united, it still might not be able to defeat the KMT, currently led by Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), in the 2008 presidential elections. Given this fact, it is very disappointing to see the president and the vice president engaging in such pointless bickering.

Therefore, these two national leaders must stop their quarreling. The DPP should also review its policies as well as its morals to regain people's confidence. If this farce is allowed to continue, the nation will only plunge into turmoil, with DPP supporters eventually abandoning the party.

Translated by Daniel Cheng