TSU lawmakers yesterday proposed an amendment that would require presidential and vice presidential candidates running on the same ticket to come from the same party.
But President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) didn't seem to appreciate the proposal, saying it appeared to be designed to help him get re-elected in the 2004 presidential contest.
"We should not be afraid of the cooperation of others, we should not fear challenge or competition," Chen told an international wire agency. "Only those who lack self-confidence would worry about the cooperation of others. I consider the biggest rival to be myself."
A spokesperson to the presidential office added that the president considered it "unnecessary to make any legislation or amendment so as to hinder the cooperation of other parties."
TSU lawmakers reached an agreement at a legislative caucus meeting yesterday to propose the amendment in the legislature.
Under the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Law, Article 21 states that presidential and vice presidential candidates running together should jointly register for the election -- but the law is unclear as to whether the two candidates are required to be from the same party.
An amendment initiated by TSU lawmaker Chen Chien-ming (陳建銘) states in no uncertain terms that political parties may only nominate their own members as party representatives. If the amendment becomes law, both presidential and vice presidential candidates running together would be required to be from the same party.
Deflecting criticism that the proposal is designed to hinder the two main opposition parties -- the KMT and PFP -- from fielding a joint ticket for the 2004 presidential election, Chen said that it was formulated to prevent the possibility of coup d'etat.
"The proposal is to avoid the split of political power [due to the fact that presidents and vice presidents belong to different parties], which might trigger a sudden overthrow of the government," Chen said.
If the president and vice president come from different parties, there would be tension and conflict if the two hold different opinions, he noted. "Only if the two come from the same parties can they effectively consolidate the nation's leadership."
The TSU lawmaker added that the amendment is also sought to uphold the spirit of party politics.
On Friday, PFP Chairman James Soong (
Although he was unclear on whether he would share a ticket with KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
The TSU's proposal has provoked intense criticism from the "pan blue" camp.
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