Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) yesterday said he would attend the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) legislative candidates' campaign activities only if he was invited and could fit them into his schedule.
Wang was elaborating on a statement he made two days ago, saying he would not exclude the possibility of attending the TSU candidates' campaign activities.
Wang was attending a Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislative candidate's campaign activity in Kaohsiung County yesterday when he was asked by reporters about his statement regarding the TSU two days ago.
"TSU legislators supported me in the race for the legislative speakership, so it would be reciprocal to attend their campaign activities. It would be impossible for me to reject their request, if there is one," Wang said.
But Wang's statement has raised controversy in both the pan-blue and the pan-green camps. While People First Party (PFP) legislators have shown dismay, the TSU gave mixed reactions to the statement.
The KMT has made a set of rules for its legislative campaign, which state, "[the party] should support the pan-blue candidates fully to win the elections, but party members cannot become official staff for non-pan-blue candidates." In the pan-blue camp's eyes, Wang's statement would break the rules.
Taipei Mayor Ma Yin-jeou (馬英九) yesterday said that he could understand Wang's words, give his position.
"Vice chairman Wang is the legislative speaker, so it is understandable that he would say he does not exclude the possibility of attending TSU candidates' campaign activities. I believe Wang can handle this issue wisely," Ma said.
KMT caucus whip Tseng Yuan-chuan (曾永權) also said two days ago that he believed Wang would follow KMT's rules and decide on what campaign activities he would attend.
But the PFP caucus was not too positive about Wang's words.
"It is not a very good thing for Wang to attend TSU candidates' campaign activities because the TSU represents [former president] Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) path, and it is the opposite of the KMT's path," PFP caucus whip Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄) said.
Some members of the TSU were also less than enthusiastic about Wang's gesture.
"We have not discussed Wang's statement, and we will not invite Wang to attend our campaign activities. After all, Wang is the KMT's vice chairman, and we have to be very clear about our stand during the elections. The TSU will focus, however, on having former president Lee attend the campaign activities," TSU caucus whip Huang Chung-yuan (
But another TSU caucus whip, Cheng Cheng-lung (程振隆), said the legislative speaker has a highly-regarded statute and if he could attend TSU candidates' campaign activities, it would be positive for the TSU's campaign.
"Whether it is Wang or Premier Yu Hsyi-kun, talking about attending the TSU's campaign activities, TSU candidates should welcome them," Cheng said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus said Wang's gesture was a move to protect his speakership.
"Wang has realized that the pan-blue camp will not win a majority of seats this time, so he is making friendly gestures toward the TSU for the upcoming race for the speakership," DPP caucus whip Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯) said.
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