The DPP attacked a KMT proposal to dismiss the controversial newly elected speaker of the Kaohsiung city council as an empty gesture designed to avert public blame, because the suggestion can't be carried out in accordance with the law.
"The decision made by the KMT is an attempt to disassociate themselves from the scandalous event. [The proposal] came too late. It is like telling a joke to society," a DPP press release stated.
Under the Law on Local Government Systems (地方制度法) and the organizational regulations of the Kaohsiung city council, speakers or vice speakers-elect can't be ousted in their first year in office.
DPP Deputy Secretary-General Michael You (游盈隆) said the KMT's proposal was meaningless for the time being, but his party would endorse the initiative if the KMT re-introduces it next year.
The ruling party lashed out at the scheme presented by KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) to recall independent lawmaker Chu An-hsiung (朱安雄), who is being prosecuted over allegations of bribery and tax evasion, one day after he was elected as the speaker of the Kaohsiung city council because of support from KMT and PFP city councilors.
The DPP demonstrated its resolve to fight against "black gold" by forbidding its city councilors to vote for Chu.
The results of Wednesday's election were that Chu and another controversial independent lawmaker Tsai Song-hsiung (蔡松雄) were elected as speaker and vice speaker, with each obtaining 25 votes in separate votes by the 44-member council.
All of 14 the DPP city councilors voted for Kao Tzeng-ying (高宗英), a candidate nominated by the party several hours before the vote. DPP Secretary General Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) stated that the election would make it clear who has voted "yes" to "black gold politics."
"People can now see clearly. The public can judge how the KMT and PFP have permitted their members to succumb to black gold for their own political interests," Chang said in a letter to the DPP city councilors of Kaohsiung.
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