December 1 elections: Pro-independence voters may choose TSU over DPP

Given their discontent with the DPP's softening of its China policy, some supporters of Taiwanese independence may shift their support to the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), according to political analysts.

The analysts said the TSU has presented an alternative for pro-independence supporters that are upset with DPP policies they perceive as moving closer toward the "one China" principle.

"Some DPP supporters, especially those that advocate Taiwan's independence have been upset by the government's kowtowing to China. Under the current political situation, the TSU, with its emphasis on the localization path, appears to be the best choice [for these voters]," said political commentator Lee Yung-chih (李永熾), professor of history at National Taiwan University.

According to Lee, incidents such as the DPP's compromise on its claim of Taiwan being an independent sovereign state, the relaxation of the "no haste, be patient" investment policy toward China and moves to establish direct links have incensed the pro-independence camp.

To woo support from neutral voters, the DPP recently took a giant step away from the party's "1999 resolution regarding Taiwan's future" (台灣前途決議文) -- which declared that Taiwan was an independent sovereign state whose name was the ROC -- to the acceptance of "one China, within the framework of the Constitution."

But the shift in the DPP's China policy has pushed a portion of the party's supporters to the TSU, with a number of its high-profile pro-independence campaigners making an appearance at a gathering for the National Association of the friends of Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) last Wednesday.

At the event, the pro-independence activists lauded former president Lee -- the spiritual leader of the TSU -- and said "he was unjustly blamed" during his 12 years in power.

Ng Chiautong (黃昭堂), chairman of the World United Formosans for Independence, said that Lee's endorsement of the TSU will attract approximately 30 percent of the pro-independence vote.

"Although Lee is not a member of the TSU, the two are closely connected. If pro-independence advocates throw their support behind Lee, their voting for the TSU is a reasonable shift," Ng said.

Chen I-shen (陳儀深), a scholar at Academia Sinica and spokesman for the Northern Taiwan Society, shared the viewpoints of Lee Yung-chih.

Chen said that pro-independence associations such as the Taiwan Association of University Professors (台教會), the World United Formosans for Independence (台獨聯盟), the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan (台灣基督長老教會) and the Four Societies -- consultative groups consisting of members of the nation's cultural, academic, legal and medical elite, have all expressed their backing of the fledgling party.

"Besides, some DPP supporters probably won't feel guilty about casting their votes for the TSU since from the very beginning Lee Teng-hui has made clear that his support of the TSU aims to help stabilize the DPP administration," he added.