Legislative speaker lauds cross-party negotiations

Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) said yesterday that party-to-party consultation will definitely contribute to political stability.

Wang, who concurrently serves as a Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) vice chairman, was referring to an olive branch for party reconciliation offered by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in his New Year's address for the sake of political stability.

After the Dec. 11 legislative elections, the opposition "pan-blue alliance" of the KMT and the People First Party (PFP) maintained a majority in the 225-seat Legislative Yuan.

"Party-to-party consultations are better than nothing," Wang said.

However, he also said that whether the atmosphere for holding such talks can be created will hinge on whether the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is sincere.

The DPP legislative caucus offered yesterday to cooperate with all other political parties, but the opposition "pan-blue alliance" quickly dismissed it as an attempt to split the alliance.

Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), acting DPP chairman and party whip in the legislature, said the DPP can discuss issues with any party, including such topics as government appointments.

Ker said that for the sake of political stability, the DPP will not only consult with the PFP, but also with the KMT, the Taiwan Solidarity Union and even the Non-Partisan Solidarity Union because party-to-party consultations as envisaged by Chen are just beginning to take shape.

On the KMT's part, Huang Teh-fu (黃德福), KMT caucus whip in the legislature, said that Chen shouldn't dictate to the party and the administration, saying that there already exists a consultation mechanism in the legislature.