Huang Chu-wen faces greatest test

Huang has cast the December polls as a general's last battle which he and his new party must win. With Lee's backing, he wants the new group to capture 35 seats in the legislature, allowing the DPP to call the shots.

"I will go back and practice law after that," he said, dismissing reports he is eyeing a legislative seat or the premiership in the much talked-about proposed coalition government.

Hung Chi-chang (洪奇昌), a four-term DPP lawmaker, casts doubt over Huang's optimism, although he supports his cause.

"With a platform so similar to that of the DPP, the new political group may end up being another short-lived Collective Wisdom Club," he said.