The so-called internal restructuring of the party is being done in part to strengthen the party's hand in the legislature and enable the party to reflect public opinion.
"The reason the DPP must restructure itself is to justify the party's opinions with public opinion," Shen said in a recent article about the DPP's reform.
Shen and the Mainstream Coalition, made up of 41 DPP legislators, insist on simplifying the party's organization and making the legislative caucus the party's policymaking body. As a result, the Mainstream Coalition yesterday decided to propose to the party the dissolution of the current policy making body, the Central Standing Committee.
New Tide, however, does not agree with the Coalition, saying that the party must adjust its Central Standing Committee members so as to accommodate legislators, and central and local government officials into the institute.
"To establish an internally creative party does not mean that the party should be led by the legislative caucus. As long as the party's crucial positions are occupied by government officials and lawmakers, it can consider public opinion in the decision-making process," said Hong.
The DPP will make a final decision on party reform at its highest policy-making institute, the National Congress, which is scheduled to hold its annual meeting on July 16.
For Hsieh, how to integrate the various opinions from the party's factions and then reform the DPP to respond to the new political situation and public opinion will be his first challenge as chairman.
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