Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Yu Shyi-kun yesterday urged the party's top officials to form a consensus and make it a priority to win next year's legislative elections, a key test ahead of the 2008 presidential election.
"The legislative election next year is crucial for the sustainable development of the DPP and the prosperity of Taiwan ... If the DPP loses the election, it will be very difficult for us to win the presidential election, as the two elections are only three to four months apart," Yu said yesterday at the two-day DPP top official consensus camp held in Tianmu (
Even if the party wins the 2008 presidential election, the current deadlock between the ruling and opposition parties will remain if the DPP loses the legislative election and allows the pan-blue alliance to keep control over the legislature, Yu reminded the officials.
Soon after Yu won the DPP chairman election last month, the former chief convener of the party's New Tide faction, Tuan Yi-kang (
In addition to calling on party leaders to focus their efforts on the upcoming elections, Yu further criticized Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (
"Ma stressed that the ultimate goal of the KMT is Taiwan's unification with China. If the DPP lost the reins of government to the KMT, I think we all know what the consequences would be," he said. "The DPP needs to win the legislative election for the sake of Taiwan."
While blasting the KMT, Yu expressed his hope to exchange ideas with Ma and the People First Party in an effort to break through the legislative deadlock.
In response, Ma said yesterday that a meeting with the DPP chairman would only be possible with the right issue and with the right timing.
"Of course we can meet with the DPP chairman, if it's necessary. But as I said before, such communication will depend on issues, timing and the atmosphere," Ma said.
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