Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan's (
Lien said during a TV interview on Wednesday that if he won the election, he would not continue as the KMT's chairman when his current term expires, and that he would like to push for a merger between the KMT and the PFP.
"Regarding the KMT and the PFP's future, I hope that the two can merge to become a big party because that would be a good thing for both parties and for the country. It would be the basis for a political system with two major parties," Lien said in the interview.
In an effort to avoid internal conflicts, Lien, his running mate PFP Chairman James Soong (
"Right now the KMT and the PFP are working toward the same goal, to campaign for the Lien-Soong ticket. The issue of a merger will be left alone until after the election," KMT Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
"Both the KMT and the PFP understand very clearly that we must work together closely toward our shared goal and support the Lien-Soong ticket fully and put aside our party differences," Wang said.
KMT Legislator Hsu Chung-hsiung (
"A merger would highlight the conflicts between the mid-level officials from both parties, and this would be the most difficult hurdle to get over. The question of merging cannot be decided singlehandedly by the top leadership. It would be more feasible to hold a referendum within the party to decide the merger question," Hsu said.
"The merger process should start after the election so it does not affect the nomination process for the legislative election," Hsu said.
Some members of the PFP expressed concerns on the issue, though they adopted a low-key attitude.
PFP spokesman Hwang Yih-jiau (
"Lien Chan talked about not continuing as KMT chairman when his term expires, which won't be until August of next year. Right now we still consider helping Lien Chan win to be our top priority," Hwang said.
PFP Legislator Chiu Yi (
Chiu also said that if Lien and Soong win the election, the PFP would demand that the KMT make good on its campaign promises and put in place its campaign platform.
Meanwhile, who might take over the KMT chairmanship if Lien resigns is an open question.
Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
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