More than 30 KMT lawmakers have stayed on good terms with the TSU and will be courted by the party to participate in President Chen Shui-bian's (
Lee Shang-ren (
Despite denials from TSU Chairman Huang Chu-wen (黃主文) and several KMT lawmakers who have been identified by media reports as possible participants in the alliance, Lee yesterday acknowledged that "discussions are under way and many KMT lawmakers have responded positively."
During his trip to Africa, Chen resurrected his proposed alliance, saying it would help bring stability to the unruly legislature.
The president first introduced the idea in the lead up to December's legislative elections, but the proposal languished because the "pan blue" camp didn't want to participate.
Chen has said he's determined to form the pact this time around. The experience of the past six months shows that the "opposition has totally rejected any possibility of a rational public policy debate."
The DPP and TSU together hold 102 seats in the 225-member legislature. Chen hopes to line up 120 members for his alliance to form a stable majority.
Though the DPP is the legislature's biggest party, analysts say the TSU plays a crucial role in the alliance proposal. The party's spiritual leader, former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), remains an influential leader among KMT members and independent lawmakers.
Lee said the TSU backs President Chen's alliance because it is in line with the purpose of Taiwan Advocates (
"When Taiwan Advocates was established, it was meant to serve as a platform for pro-localization KMT lawmakers to collaborate with the DPP," he said.
The idea for a cross-party alliance is also similar to former president Lee's proposal last summer, the TSU official said. At the time, Lee had said that if the DPP could win 85 seats in the legislative polls, up to 35 others would "cross over" to give it the majority it needs to pass legislation.
TSU lawmaker Huang Chung-yuan (
Huang said the TSU was willing and able to help out the DPP, as the TSU has better connections with the KMT compared with the DPP.
In addition to TSU Chairman Huang Chu-wen, other former KMT members now belonging to the TSU include party Secretary-general Lin Jih-chia (
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday reported the first case of a new COVID-19 subvariant — BA.3.2 — in a 10-year-old Singaporean girl who had a fever upon arrival in Taiwan and tested positive for the disease. The girl left Taiwan on March 20 and the case did not have a direct impact on the local community, it said. The WHO added the BA.3.2 strain to its list of Variants Under Monitoring in December last year, but this was the first imported case of the COVID-19 variant in Taiwan, CDC Deputy Director-General Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) said. The girl arrived in Taiwan on
ANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops are
This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park this weekend, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a theme food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances. Pokemon Go Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as photo attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs. Pokemon trainers could also experience the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area. Three PokeStops are to be set up in the park. Trainers are invited to take
RSS