Elections 2006: TSU in shock over party's drubbing in Kaohsiung

Faced with a difficult contest, Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Chairman Shu Chin-chiang (蘇進強) yesterday lamented that the third choice for voters had been marginalized because of the fierce battle between the nation's two largest political parties.

The TSU's candidate for Kao-hsiung mayor, Lo Chih-ming (羅志明), polled poorly, garnering just 6,599 votes.

"Faced with this result, the TSU will make a thorough examination of its policies and will make a comeback in the future," said Shu at a press conference held following the announcement of the election results.

The TSU also failed in the elections for city councilors in Kaohsiung City. Out of five incumbent TSU city councilors seeking re-election, only Lan Chien-chang (藍健菖) succeeded.

But this was contrasted by the party's performance in Taipei City, where it grabbed two seats.

Chien Yu-yen (簡余晏) and Chen chien-ming (陳建銘) have become the first-ever city councilors under the TSU banner.

While expressing his appreciation to TSU supporters, Shu said: "I am willing to take responsibility for the failure and it will be discussed at the TSU Central Executive Committee to be held on Monday."

Shu went on to note that the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party had fought at very close quarters throughout the campaigning and such a cutthroat war had put the squeeze on the nation's smaller political parties.

"We find it regrettable that voters were deprived of a third choice. But the TSU will continue to insist on its political line and will not compromise easily," he said.

When asked by reporters whether former president Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) absence during the campaign had been a major cause of the party's failure, Shu said no.

Lee's health did not permit him to campaign for TSU candidates, Shu said.

"We cannot attribute the outcome to former president Lee. But the TSU will continue to accept his advice," Shu said.