Yu outlines goals for revitalizing DPP

In order to recruit more talented people and solicit public opinion, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will establish consulting committees for each party department, DPP chairman-elect Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday in Ilan.

Yu said that strengthening the party's political discourse, energizing its organizations and enhancing local networks are three key directions for the DPP. These goals are also the reason why he appointed Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), who has a doctorate in political science from Yale University, Yu said.

Lin, 42, is a former head of the Government Information Office and served as Cabinet spokesperson when Yu was premier.

Lin resigned from the Executive Yuan to run for Taichung City mayor, but lost to incumbant Jason Hu (胡志強) last December. He then returned to Yu's team and helped Yu win the DPP chairmanship election.

"Lin is a young and a capable executive. I think he is able to elaborate on the DPP's political values and policies," Yu said.

Yu also said that one of his goals of leading the DPP is to transform the party into an organization that is "more like a governing party," which is why increasing the channels for people's participation will be a priority for him.

Lin said on Saturday that the DPP faces renewed pressure since the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is actively recruiting young people and that it will be crucial for the DPP to transform itself into a mature governing party that is able to carry out supporters' expectations.

In other news, Yu has invited Lai I-chung (賴怡忠), director of foreign policy studies at the Taiwan Thinktank, to be director of the DPP's Chinese Affairs Department. Lin Yi-cheng (林宜正), former executive of the New Century Office in the DPP's legislative caucus, will serve as the DPP's deputy secretary-general. Liu Chien-hsin (劉建忻), who has been Yu's right-hand man, will serve as special assistant to chairman.

Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) will become director of the DPP's Department of Social Development.

The DPP will hold a handing-over ceremony for the chairperson's office and Yu will be sworn in on Thursday. One person who will not be attending the ceremony is People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜), who declined the DPP's invitation.