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Opposition attacks DPP proposal for legislative alliance

Opposition legislators yesterday criticized the DPP's plan to form a "majority alliance striving for the economy" in the legislature as unnecessary and alleged that the party's true intent is to start a political struggle against the pan-blue camp.

The idea to form the alliance, which was raised by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) during a meeting with top government policymakers on Sunday, was said to be designed to speed up the passage of legislation concerning the economy.

But there has been speculation that the alliance is a variation of the "alliance for national stabilization" previously proposed by Chen, which seeks a majority by inviting the defection of opposition legislators.

Some opposition legislators have said they would join such an alliance if its purpose were to strive to revitalize the economy.

Brushing off Chen's latest proposition, the KMT legislative caucus said the DPP wanted to start a political struggle under the pretense of saving the economy.

KMT legislative caucus whip Lee Chuan-chiao (李全教) said opposition legislators have been firm supporters of any efforts to revitalize the economy and have never blocked economy-related legislation, as there is already an national consensus on this issue.

"No one has dared block policies helpful to the economy and thus it is unnecessary to set up a majority alliance for this purpose," Lee said.

In what is believed to be a move to counteract the DPP's, Tseng Yung-chuan (曾永權), head of the KMT's Policy Committee, said the KMT will unite other opposition parties to establish an "economy-rescuing express squad" to contribute to the country's economy.

Agreeing with the KMT, PFP legislators said the DPP has resorted to every possible means to buy off opposition legislators.

Shen Chih-hwei (沈智慧), convener of the PFP legislative caucus, said that two months ago the DPP sent a business consortium to lobby her to go down the line for the DPP, with an offer to accept "any conditions" she desired.

Shen urged Chen to stop trying to manipulate the legislature by turning it into a "buy-off alliance."

The DPP, however, said the alliance will be helpful in eliminating political confrontation, in addition to improving the economy.

DPP caucus convener Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said all 225 legislators are welcome to join the alliance, and negotiations could be held between the DPP and the opposition legislators in the party-to-party, party-to-subgroup and party-to-individual formats to seek their participation.
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