DPP aims for consensus

Taiwan's political landscape and the role of the DPP as the oldest opposition party was changed forever by the presidential election victory of Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).

But while the DPP has fulfilled its hopes of gaining power, it appears by no means sure to what ends that power should be used.

"Although the DPP has risen to be a ruling party, people have not reached a clear consensus on Taiwan's future development," according to Hong Chi-chang (洪奇昌)a DPP legislator belonging to the party's New Tide faction.

One of the most important factors in the evolution of the DPP will be reaching a consensus between the party leadership and its often unruly and wayward factions.

Another problem is the relation between the party and the government especially the extent to which the party platform should be a base for government policy.

Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), in his May 31 announcement of his intention to run for the DPP chairmanship, said the party should not marginalize itself but develop a mutually cooperative relationship with the government led by President Chen.

Hsieh's position has the support of the majority of party heavyweights. Most of them believe the DPP has a responsibility to respond to public opinion and stabilize the new political environment.

But how far should the party try to promote its platform as government policy? The New Era and New Tide factions think the DPP should see itself as a "party with missions" (使命型政黨) -- specifically, leading Taiwan toward political reform and sustaining peace across the Taiwan Strait.

Party heavyweight Trong Chai (蔡同榮), however, holds a different view, believing the party should transform itself into an "election apparatus" (選舉機器) and draw a clear line between itself and the government.

However, most DPP members think the party's function should be more than just an election apparatus. The party has to enlarge its functions to include policy-making and managing grassroots organizations.

According to New Era, the DPP's future operations will focus on assisting in the event of an election, managing organizations and integrating policies.

Most important of all, the DPP should play a crucial role in coordinating between the government and the party's legislative caucus.

"Because the DPP is in the minority in the legislature, many policies are difficult to promote under such circumstances. Therefore the party must be a qualified coordinator," Hong said.

How the administration and the DPP define their relations with each other is crucial for the DPP as well as the president.

Although President Chen has not publicly expressed his opinion on the DPP's reform measures -- having announced he would no longer be involved in party affairs -- the fact that the DPP is taking responsibility for coordination between the administration and the DPP legislators on whom the government's legislative agenda depends may benefit him.

"Presently the DPP-led administration is in conflict with the KMT-led majority in the legislature. The government and President Chen will become a target for attack from the legislature if the DPP does nothing for Chen," a New Tide spokesperson said.

"The DPP should back the government and assist it in holding the reins of power," said Mainstream Coalition lawmaker Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄).

Reaching a general consensus on the party's role and its relationship with the government is going to be difficult, considering the DPP factions' different ideas about adjusting the party's organization.