Let us imagine that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) election for chairperson on May 18 will not result in a revolving door post, as it has been for much of the recent past.
A generational transition, which many party elders have called for in the wake of the presidential election defeat, would truly take place. There would a popular perception that this would be a window of opportunity for the new leader to reform the DPP.
However, there are blind spots in any argument that a fresh, young face in the leadership would necessarily restore the younger generation’s enthusiasm and support for the party.
For many years, the DPP’s failure to serve grassroots members has caused the party’s power base to rot away. There has also been gross neglect by party officials, whose impediments to party development in securing their posts included the use of nominal party members.
The DPP has always trumpeted the need to get young people involved in politics, but because of these two problems the party’s ability to do so has been quite limited. When the entire party starts to see its survival hinging upon a new generation assuming leadership posts, then it ignores the seriousness of impediments such as the use of nominal members.
As a senior party member of the younger generation, I have a message of caution for those wishing to run for the chairmanship, as well as for the eventual winner who will have accomplished the mission of generational transfer. You may be young enough and, accordingly, will probably not have the support of any faction. However, you will be leading a group of party representatives that have been chosen by local factions of which young people only make up a small part.
Moreover, it is these representatives who will choose the 30 Central Executive Committee and 10 Central Standing Committee members that will oversee the functioning of the party. To avoid public criticism, some party elders will keep a low profile. However, based on my own experience and what I have heard, if by May 18 we are unable to solve the problem of grassroots disenchantment, the old system of collective voting for nominal members will continue and the same old faces will run the party.
Therefore, even if there is a generational transfer for the chairperson’s post, reform will amount to mere words.
With the party anxious for reform, the DPP has the ability to thoroughly cleanse itself of the poison of nominal party membership. Chairman Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) should immediately convene the National Congress and propose a freeze on its upcoming election, as well as declare that party members must re-register their membership in person.
During this period, the party’s core ideals can be reaffirmed and a call for youth to join the party’s ranks made according to these ideals. The next National Congress must be chosen by those who have gone through this process, otherwise it will be unable to undertake the mission of party reform alongside the new chairperson.
Wu Chin-tai is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party’s first Youth Committee.
Translated by James Chen
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