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TSU to DPP: Merge this

The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday rejected a suggestion from a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator that it merge with the DPP, saying it only exposed the governing party's rudeness and arrogance. The reaction came after DPP Legislator Lee Chun-yi (李俊毅) on Sunday suggested the merger as a way for the TSU to cope with an expected new "single-member district, two vote" electoral system that will put small parties at a disadvantage.

"We believe that a merger of the two political parties is a serious issue that concerns the parties' beliefs and ideals," TSU Secretary-General Chen Chien-ming (陳建銘) said yesterday at a news conference. "Such a significant issue cannot be proposed by a single lawmaker."

Chen said that Lee's proposal only exposed the overweening attitude of the governing party, and countered that DPP members were welcome to join the TSU.

"To be frank, at this moment it is impossible for the TSU to merge with the DPP," Chen said. "We welcome DPP lawmakers or members who identify with the TSU's platform to join us. We can together work on realizing our goals of making a new constitution and rectifying the country's official name, and help local power to win 75 percent support."

Chen also said that the DPP should demonstrate its sincerity about cooperating with the TSU by speeding up the establishment of a communications channel between the two parties to discuss nominations for the local elections at the end of the year, and avoid the failure of last December's legislative election.

Chen cited his own race for mayor of Keelung as an example of how the parties should be cooperating. He said the DPP should respect his campaign plans and not nominate a candidate to challenge him, because such a move would erode trust between the two parties.

The DPP currently does not intend to nominate its own candidate for that race.
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