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DPP factions back Hsieh's candidacy

"The chances of the former premier running for mayor are about 80 percent."

Wang Shih-cheng, DPP legislator

Former premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) is expected to agree to run in the Taipei mayoral election representing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) after party factions unanimously approved his candidature yesterday.

Faction leaders called on DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun to step up efforts to persuade Hsieh to participate in the election, according to DPP Central Standing Committee member Tsai Hsien-hao (蔡憲浩), who attended the meeting.

DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said the party would take steps this week to encourage Hsieh to announce his candidacy in the Taipei mayoral election.

Earlier yesterday, DPP Legislator Wang Shih-cheng (王世堅), who is close to Hsieh, said: "The chances of the former premier running for mayor are about 80 percent," adding that Hsieh would probably announce his decision within days.

Although Hsieh has been coy about his participation in the election and even recently said that the party shouldn't count on him, he seems to have had a change of heart. Hsieh recently told members of the media and several lawmakers that he was likely to "throw his hat into the ring."

Wang said Hsieh had been motivated by the devastating effect of the insider-trading scandal involving President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) son-in-law, Chao Chien-ming (趙建銘). Hsieh hoped to restore the DPP's reputation and integrity and promote unity within the party, Wang said.

Wang added that Hsieh would visit former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) on Saturday to seek his endorsement.

Meanwhile, the DPP's arbitration committee yesterday overruled the central executive committee's dismissal of DPP Legislator You Ching's (尤清) appeal over his expulsion from the party's Taipei mayoral election primary. The committee ruled that You's appeal must be heard again today.
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