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PFP backs Chang Po-ya to run for Control Yuan post

Another candidate for the Con-trol Yuan presidency seemed to emerge yesterday, with the People First Party (PFP) announcing its support for Non-Partisan Solidarity Union chairperson Chang Po-ya (張博雅).

"Chang's educational and political record is respected by all. As an independent woman with green-camp leanings, I think that she is a choice that both green and blue camps can support," PFP caucus spokesman Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄) said yesterday.

Liu pointed to Chang's varied experience as former minister of the interior, mayor of Chiayi and head of the Department of Health as proof of her competence in the political arena.

Chang's history as a former DPP member and departmental head under a KMT administration should attract support from both parties, Liu said.

Add to her experience to the fact that she is a woman, and Chang would be an ideal pick for the Control Yuan presiden-cy, given the current administration's push for greater female participation in the political sphere, he said.

Chang also has ties to the PFP, as evidenced by the party's endorsement of Chang as an independent in the 2002 Kaohsiung mayoral election.

The PFP's support for Chang comes on the heels of recent news that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Legislative Speaker and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Vice Chairman Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) spoke about potential candidates for the post.

Potential candidates reportedly discussed by Chen and Wang are incumbent Control Yuan President Fredrick Chien (錢復), senior presidential advisor Huang Kun-huei (黃昆輝) and KMT Vice Chairman Wu Po-hsiung (吳伯雄).

The term of the current Control Yuan president expires in February.

Chang's reaction to the PFP nomination yesterday was low-key. Expressing her gratitude for the PFP's support, she emphasized that the Control Yuan presidency was not an elected position but an appointed one, and as such a recommendation may not necessarily assist in the securing of the post.

The recommendation also marks another PFP deviation from the agenda of its political ally, the KMT.

"We are still two separate parties with different views," Liu said yesterday, adding that the PFP had not consulted with the KMT over its support for Chang.

One KMT legislator was non-committal about the PFP move.

"Chang's status and contribution to the country aren't bad, but you can't just nominate whoever you like. The PFP needs to formally nominate Chang and list reasons why they think she would be a good candidate for the position," KMT Legislator Lee Chia-chin (李嘉進) said.
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