In a bid to allay the public's fears over KMT-PFP cooperation in next year's presidential election, several PFP lawmakers yesterday called on both parties to establish a fair and democratic nomination mechanism.
"Cooperation between the KMT and PFP is the desire of most blue-camp supporters," said PFP Legislator Lee Hung-chun (李鴻鈞). "However, in order to show respect to the voters as well as to allay their doubts that such cooperation would not mean a restoration of the old ways of the KMT, both parties ought to seek a fair and just nomination mechanism as they work to field a joint ticket."
He made the remarks at a press conference held with colleagues Fu Kun-chih (傅崑萁), Tsai Chung-han (蔡中涵), Pan Chien-kuo (龐建國), Yang Fu-mei (楊富美) and Lin Hui-kuan (林惠官).
The legislators stressed that KMT-PFP cooperation must not leave people with any doubts or anxiety about the possible restoration of the old order and thus make them hesitate to vote for the alliance.
The legislators backed the idea of PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) heading a joint ticket, citing his leadership quality -- but they said the issue "is not about who to head the ticket and who will be the deputy."
"The question is how will both parties will come up with a fair and open nomination mechanism for the joint ticket," Lee said. "Because it is only through a fair transparent mechanism that a KMT-PFP ticket will win respect, acceptance and thus support from voters," he said.
The debate over who should held the ticket and who would take second place has been a thorny issue since KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and Soong announced they would join forces to field a joint ticket for the 2004 election.
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