Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Shen Fu-hsiung (
It has been rumored that Shen will run as a candidate of the Third Social Party, a new party formed by former DPP "Young Turk" Chou Yi-cheng (
Shen said he had devoted a lot of time and effort to helping Chou establish the party, but that didn't mean that he would be a legislator-at-large candidate for the party.
"The contribution that a lawmaker of a small party, which holds only one or two legislative seats, can make to the country is trivial," Shen said.
But Shen said he would continue to help the Third Social Party in the future to convey his vision of cross-strait relations, public policies and blind spots in the two-party duopoly by exchanging his ideas with young students.
Shen said his decision to quit the DPP was not timed to coincide with the decision by the party's Central Standing Committee to recommend President Chen Shui-bian (
Shen was accused of picking the timing to humiliate the DPP when the party was trying to create an image of unity following the row over its "normal country" resolution.
"It was just a coincidence," Shen said.
Shen said he happened to meet Lee Cheng-yee (
Former DPP legislator Lin Wei-chou (
Lin quit the DPP in March last year expressing his "disappointment" over the party's indifference to "issues that deserve genuine attention."
Lin yesterday said that he had joined the Third Social Party because he hoped the country would have a third choice in addition to the DPP and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).
He also said he has lost his passion for politics.
Meanwhile, Chou said yesterday that he planned to inaugurate the party in the middle of this month and announce its nominations for legislators and legislators-at-large.
Chou, who said yesterday that he was kicked out of the DPP a few weeks ago, said that he felt morally obligated to stand in the legislative elections, but he would be the last person to join the race.
When asked about the possibility of Shen running as the party's flag bearer in the legislative polls, Chou said that it was possible but not finalized.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS