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Opposition slams president's majority alliance plan

President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) plan to form a majority alliance in the legislature sparked a heated debate among lawmakers yesterday.

The ruling camp portrayed the measure as the only way to prevent partisan rivalry from stalling the lawmaking body while the opposition parties warned against the emergence of a new brand of "black gold" politics.

DPP legislative leader Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said that by seeking to put together a majority alliance, the president hopes to introduce a new legislative culture where reconciliation will replace confrontation in resolving policy disputes.

Ker added that following the June 21 confirmation vote on the nominees for Examination Yuan heads, the DPP has concluded it is useless to try to placate the opposition.

The DPP managed to secure just enough votes for the appointment of former party chairman Yao Chia-wen (姚嘉文) to be president of the Examination Yuan.

Chang Po-ya's (張博雅)appointment as Yao's deputy, however, was voted down. A day earlier, four appointees for Control Yuan members and one nominee for grand justice, also met the same fate.

"Many colleagues agreed then the formation of a majority alliance is necessary as concession has proved to be ineffectual," Ker said.

The majority alliance the DPP envisages will consist of 120 lawmakers so it can act as a solid stabilizing force in the 225-member legislature.

To that end, the DPP will have to woo more opposition legislators into its fold. Together, the ruling party and its tiny ally, the TSU, control 102 seats.

"The proposed alliance is intended to provide a rational venue of communication rather than reshape the nation's political landscape," Ker noted. "Hopefully, it will give birth to a savory legislative culture when the fall session begins."

Both the KMT and PFP were quick to criticize Chen's plan.

KMT Spokesman Wu Ching-chi (吳清基) said he sees sharper partisan rivalry ahead if the president insists on forming the so-called majority alliance.

"No KMT member will join the alliance," Wu said. "President Chen had better think twice about such a venture, which will only deepen hostility between the opposition and ruling camps."

The KMT has turned down many opportunities to cooperate with the DPP government -- in the absence of party-to-party talks.

The KMT legislative caucus blasted the proposed alliance as the beginning of another form of "black gold" politics.

It accused Chen's administration of seeking to co-opt lawmakers through bribes or the threat of prosecution.

Noting that Chen frequently backpedals on certain proposals, KMT legislative leader Cheng Feng-shih (鄭逢時) said he would save his comments for the future.

PFP Legislator Chou Hsi-wei (周錫瑋) said Chen would never lure "elite" members away from the opposition camp.

He noted that those who defected to the DPP during the last legislative showdown were either in trouble financially or plagued by legal disputes. Chou declined to name these legislators.

Independent Legislator Chen Chin-ting (陳進丁) said he and would-be fellow independent members would consider working with the DPP.

He noted that several independents have consistently sided with the ruling party in the last legislative session.

See editorial:
Ignore the whiners
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