Senior officials of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday voiced support for Chairman Lien Chan's (
"We must at this time stand behind Lien. We must support Lien in his decision," said KMT Vice Chairman Vincent Siew (
It is customary in Taiwan's politics that party leaders resign following their party's defeat in major elections, as a gesture of taking responsibility for the loss.
But given that Lien has refused to concede defeat to President Chen Shui-bian (
"Lien's leadership should be maintained at this moment. We should not complicate the current situation further and make it more chaotic," said KMT Legislator John Chang (
Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
Wang also took the opportunity to dismiss speculation that the pro-localization faction within the party would split from the KMT following the failure of Lien's second bid for the presidency.
"Why split when it is time we need more than ever to stay united," Wang told reporters before the committee meeting.
He is seen by many pan-blue supporters as the key representative of the pro-localization faction.
"Everyone must be loyal to the party," he said. "If it is within everyone's heart to be loyal and love the party, then we must more than ever unite at time like this. Any effort to split or drive a wedge would only harm the party."
Stressing that the pro-localization faction would not defect, KMT Legislator Hsu Chong-hsiung (徐中雄), a committee member known for his pro-localization image, also said the party must strengthen its pro-localization image in order to stay competitive.
In view of the year-end legislative election, Hu also suggested that the KMT, the People First Party and the New Party should merge.
"The opposition alliance can not afford to remain divided," Hsu said.
His call was echoed by other Central Standing Committee mem-bers including Chang and KMT Legislator Hou Tsai-feng (侯彩鳳).
Meanwhile, the KMT is mulling the idea of staging protests in different parts of the country after its march in Taipei on Saturday to emphasize their appeal for an immediate recount of the vote.
A crowd of pan-blue supporters has been demonstrating in front of the Presidential Office to demand a recount since before dawn on Sunday morning.
The protesters support the KMT-PFP alliance's claims that the election was unfair and the assassination attempt was suspicious.
The protesters have permission from the Taipei City Government to continue their demonstration on Katagalan Boulevard till 10pm Saturday.
"Whether or not to disband the protesting crowd in front of the Presidential Office will be decided based on how the government responds [to our appeals,]" said KMT spokesman Alex Tsai (蔡正元).
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