Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (
Su told lawmakers that the DPP cannot afford to be divided with the National Assembly elections looming.
Since Chen said that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) words and deeds in China "did not violate the law" and that he held a positive attitude about Lien and People First Party (PFP) James Soong's (宋楚瑜) visits to China, DPP legislators are saying they have received many complaints from their constituents and that they did not know what course to take under Chen's leadership.
Chen commissioned Su to convene the forum with lawmakers to seek clarity.
Members of the factions in the DPP -- the New Tide, Welfare State and the Justice Alliance -- voiced their dissatisfaction to Su.
"The DPP is not a party that follows the pattern of one person alone having the final say. We always welcome all kinds of opinions. However, at this critical juncture, we can not afford disunion," Su said.
He added that it was urgent to improve the DPP's chances in the National Assembly elections in light of the party's declining support.
"I'm quite worried about the rapid change in the recent political situation," Su said.
"The recent `China fever' and Lien's and Soong's visits to China have caused confusion on social values, and the DPP also suffered a slump in support. It is the DPP's crisis. I believe each of you understand this. I hope you all could hang on and help boost the DPP's election momentum," Su said.
In response to questions about why Chen approved of the meeting between Lien and Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), Su said that he had no idea about Chen's motivation, but speculated that Chen did not have many strategies for dealing with Hu either.
DPP caucus whip Jao Yung-ching (趙永清) said the caucus has resolved that it will invite Chen to attend a forum with it soon, and demanded that communication mechanisms between the Presidential Office, legislative caucus and party headquarters be improved.
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