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PFP rejects widespread rumors of an impending alliance with the DPP

The PFP yesterday reacted coldly to a report saying it may ally with the DPP after the year-end legislative elections.

The PFP is apparently bothered by ongoing speculation triggered by a meeting between President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) in July.

A local newspaper yesterday quoted an unnamed DPP official as saying the DPP would not rule out the possibility of forming a ruling coalition with the PFP -- despite wide differences between the two parties' ideologies.

The official said cooperation between the DPP and PFP would symbolize a halt to vicious partisan struggles between political parties.

PFP spokesman Hsieh Kung-ping (謝公秉), however, responded by saying that the party would not engage in any "unnecessary interaction" with any "unfriendly political parties."

Hsieh said the PFP was not interested in reports about possible post-election political alliances. He said the PFP has tried to interact with other parties but the experiences proved to be negative.

DPP Secretary-general Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁) said that forming a coalition government after the elections would be inevitable, but that it is too early to predict which party the DPP will ally with.

Chen and Soong met on July 17 to discuss matters concerning the Economic Development Advisory Conference. It was widely reported that they also talked about forming a DPP-PFP coalition after the elections and that Chen even offered to appoint Soong as premier.

Such reports fueled speculation that Soong was hedging his bets with both the DPP and the KMT.

While the PFP denied the reports, Chen said that he "could not remember" if he had made such an offer to Soong.

Presidential Office Secretary-general Yu Shyi-kun said on Sept. 7 that there was never any discussion about forming a coalition government at the July 17 meeting.
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