Citing Robert Frost's poem, The Road Not Taken, DPP chairman Lin I-hsiung (
"I have done what I promised to do. One can criticize me if my accomplishments are not good enough. But I have already done the best I could," Lin told a news conference.
He then went on to read Frost's poem in which the writer explains that finding himself at a fork in a path, taking the fork less traveled had "made all the difference."
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG
Lin explained that to leave his job was his version of taking "the road less traveled." While some have urged him to stay, warning that the party might suffer if he stepped down, Lin said, "it is natural to leave the leading position because my term is up."
On the eve of Lin's announcement, President Chen Shui-bian (
Lin, however, made no comment on the meeting yesterday, saying that he had clearly stated his decision to Chen. Lin also bowed to his colleagues to thank them for their support.
Concerning what he intended to do in the future, Lin said he had not thought that far ahead. He said, however, that he was willing to help the new chairman, whoever that may be, if he were needed.
Lin's decision is expected to cause vigorous competition among contenders for the party chairman position.
Possible candidates among legislators Hung Chi-chang (洪奇昌), Yen Chin-fu (顏錦福), Trong Chai (蔡同榮) and Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄) as well as former DPP chairman Yao Chia-wen (姚嘉文), Kaohsiung City Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) and Taipei County Commissioner Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌).
Lin declined to say which of the possible contenders he favored. He did however, say that he thought the main qualification for a successful party chairman was coordinating and finding consensus between the various party factions.
The DPP's main factions, however, indicated yesterday that President Chen's opinion would be crucial in deciding who would succeed Lin.
Among the seven contenders, three are from the newly established "Mainstream Coalition." The coalition's spokesman Shen Fu-hsiung, said however, that the group would reach a consensus on a single candidate to endorse. DPP legislators said that Trong Chai was a heavyweight candidate owing to his standing as the first-ranked Central Standing Committee member. Hung Chi-chang, however, has the support of the New Tide faction, and claims also to have the support of Lin himself. Frank Hsieh, however, has better name recognition outside the party.
According to a resolution made by the DPP's Central Standing Committee on Wednesday, candidates for the chairman post can register between May 29 and June 2 and the election will be held on June 25 by a ballot of the entire party membership.
The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) is to tighten rules for candidates running for public office, requiring them to declare that they do not hold a Chinese household registration or passport, and that they possess no other foreign citizenship. The requirement was set out in a draft amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法 ) released by the ministry on Thursday. Under the proposal, candidates would need to make the declaration when submitting their registration forms, which would be published in the official election bulletin. The move follows the removal of several elected officials who were
The Republic of China (ROC) is celebrating its 114th Double Ten National Day today, featuring military parades and a variety of performances and speeches in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei. The Taiwan Taiko Association opened the celebrations with a 100-drummer performance, including young percussionists. As per tradition, an air force Mirage 2000 fighter jet flew over the Presidential Office as a part of the performance. The Honor Guards of the ROC and its marching band also heralded in a military parade. Students from Taichung's Shin Min High School then followed with a colorful performance using floral imagery to represent Taiwan's alternate name
FOUR DESIGNATED AREAS: Notices were issued for live-fire exercises in waters south and northwest of Penghu, northeast of Keelung and west of Kaohsiung, they said The military is planning three major annual exercises across the army, navy and air force this month, with the navy’s “Hai Chiang” (海強, “Sea Strong”) drills running from today through Thursday, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday. The Hai Chiang exercise, which is to take place in waters surrounding Taiwan, would feature P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and S-70C anti-submarine helicopters, the ministry said, adding that the drills aim to bolster the nation’s offshore defensive capabilities. China has intensified military and psychological pressure against Taiwan, repeatedly sending warplanes and vessels into areas near the nation’s air defense identification zone and across
A Chinese takeover of Taiwan would severely threaten the national security of the US, Japan, the Philippines and other nations, while global economic losses could reach US$10 trillion, National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆) wrote in an article published yesterday in Foreign Affairs. “The future of Taiwan is not merely a regional concern; it is a test of whether the international order can withstand the pressure of authoritarian expansionism,” Lin wrote in the article titled “Taiwan’s Plan for Peace Through Strength — How Investments in Resilience Can Deter Beijing.” Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) intent to take Taiwan by force
RSS