The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday announced that party members will elect a new chairman on Jan. 30, and that those who plan to contend for the chairmanship will have to pay NT$1.5 million as a registration fee.
President Chen Shui-bian (
DPP legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (
After nearly three hours' discussion, the DPP central executive committee yesterday reached a conclusion about the necessary qualifications of the candidates who want to campaign for the chairman's post.
According to DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lee Ying-yuan (
The committee overruled the suggestion that candidates should have to collect a certain number of signatures from party delegates.
"The DPP aimed to set less restrictions on candidates in order to obtain maximum participation in the election for chairmanship," Lee said yesterday.
The DPP today will publish the registration date, election date and candidates' requirements. Those who want to join the campaign have to register between Dec. 27 and Dec. 31.
The committee will review the candidates' qualifications on Jan. 4 and eligible candidates will draw their candidate number on Jan. 5.
The DPP will announce its new chairman on Feb. 1.
Before polling day, the DPP will hold two televised debates, on Jan. 22 in Taipei and Jan. 29 in Kaohsiung. A civic forum for academics, political commentators and the public will be held in Taichung on Jan. 26, Lee said.
So far, only DPP Legislator Lin Chung-mo (
"I believe that I will do a good job in leading the party," Lin said after the central executive committee meeting, confirming that he would compete for the chairmanship despite the registration fee.
Chou did not comment on the registration fee issue, only saying that she would consider participating in the race.
Meanwhile, the central executive committee decided to establish a special panel to study the party's future development, hoping to find a new direction for the DPP now that Chen has resigned as chairman.
When asked about the nomination of Control Yuan members, Lee said that the DPP had not considered using party discipline to force DPP legislators to support the nominations at this point, although some DPP legislators voiced criticism about some of the nominations.
"The DPP ... will first communicate and negotiate with those who opposed [the nominations]. We haven't thought about party discipline," Lee said.
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
RSS