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DPP must show voters a unified front to win

With a year left to his term, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) appointed former premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) as his sixth premier in seven years. After a partial Cabinet reshuffle, the main mission of the new "combat team" led by Chang and Vice Premier Chiou Yi-ren (邱義仁) is to boost the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) profile and win the presidential election next year, while at the same time saving Chen's legacy as a defender of Taiwanese consciousness.

It is a sad state of affairs to see the frequent changes in the Cabinet over the past seven years. It also highlights the DPP's incapacity to provide a solid and consistent policy team.

Chang and his Cabinet -- hopefully the last one -- face even greater political challenges ahead than his predecessors. A fundamental question that confronts many a leader is whether to adopt a confrontational or conciliatory approach in dealing with the opposition. Some politicians may choose to lash out with bold initiatives, ditching consultation with the opposition in favor of appealing directly to the public. This strategy overlooks the value of negotiations that can bring about changes and put the nation on the right track.

Despite the opposition pan-blue camp's threat to initiate a no-confidence motion, Chang has emphasized the need for the new Cabinet to work closely with the pan-blue camp on the passage of the government's fiscal budget. Chang also supports accelerating negotiations with China on issues such as further opening to Chinese tourists and expanding charter flights.

In contrast, Chen and the DPP are determined to implement policies that can only heighten political confrontation with the pan-blue camp, including promoting name changes, delegitimizing dictator Chiang Kai-shek's (蔣介石) legacy, striving for normalization of Taiwan's independent status, holding a national referendum on the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) stolen assets and using the name of Taiwan to apply for UN membership. With the presidential elections fast approaching, there appears to be little room for a conciliatory stance.

Nevertheless, there has been an appeal for a middle ground, which is the heart of DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh's (謝長廷) campaign.

After winning the DPP's primary, Hsieh has continued to advocate "reconciliation and coexistence" when it comes to domestic politics and cross-strait relations. The national mood has already been exhausted by partisan confrontations, and the public wants a national leader who would be accountable and responsible.

Most important, the public wants a leader who can bridge the partisan gap and unite the nation. To what extent can Chen, the Cabinet and Hsieh work together to strike a delicate balance and achieve this goal?

The DPP has established the organizational framework for its presidential campaign. The framework is composed of key leaders from the Cabinet, the party, the Presidential Office and Hsieh's camp. The question is to what extent these parties can cooperate to come up with a campaign agenda.

The possibility of Hsieh teaming up with former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) could be another test of DPP unity.

The DPP can only regain public trust by showing the voters a unified political front and a reform-minded government.

The formation of the new Cabinet and the DPP's campaign organization should be seen as the government's last chance to convince voters that it is an action-focused and politically and morally clean government capable of implementing new policies and reforms.

Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.
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