TSU's Yin willing to run for DPP to win election

Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Legislator Yin Ling-ying, left, and Legislator Liao Pen-yen, who was expelled from the TSU, hold a press conference yesterday. PHOTO: LO PEI-DER, TAIPEI TIMES

Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Legislator Yin Ling-ying (尹伶瑛) yesterday told a press conference at the legislature that she would join the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) if it would help the pan-green camp win the legislative election.

As it stands, Yin and the DPP's Liu Chien-kuo (劉建國) will both run in Yunlin County's second constituency. But Yin said that the pan-green camp should cooperate to nominate just one candidate to increase its chances of winning the constituency. Yin suggested a survey be conducted to choose the best candidate.

"If I lose the poll, I will be more than happy to be Liu's campaign chief. If I win, I hope that our DPP friends will support me. If that is the case, I will join the DPP and run as a DPP candidate," Yin said.

Legislators Liao Pen-yen (廖本煙) and Huang Chung-yung (黃宗源), who were expelled from the TSU this week, also attended the press conference.

They said that the pan-green camp must unite or face a tough campaign.

Huang said he interpreted Yin's remarks as meaning that she wanted to run as a DPP candidate.

"To `coordinate' actually means joining the DPP. That is the only way to win," Huang said.

Yin's remarks sparked concern that other TSU legislators could leave the party for the DPP.

The TSU has said that Liao and Huang were expelled because they had stopped attending caucus meetings. It also accused Liao and Huang of being too close to Vice Premier Chiou I-jen (邱義仁), a former member of the DPP's disbanded New Tide faction.

TSU Legislator David Huang (黃適卓) said he was confused by the whole matter.

"If being too close to DPP members was the reason for expelling them, I think I should be expelled, too," he said.

Meanwhile, TSU legislative caucus whip Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) said he did not think Yin's comments would lead to her expulsion.

"We will end up with no members if we keeping expelling people," Lo said.

Lo said TSU Chairman Huang Kun-huei (黃昆輝) had learned of Yin's proposal the night before the press conference and had spoken to her about the matter.

In response, DPP Culture and Information Department Director Hsieh Hsin-ni (謝欣霓) said that a poll would be a good way for the DPP and TSU to choose a single candidate. Hsieh said, however, that it was too early to say whether TSU candidates should join the DPP.

"We have to take into account how the TSU deals with candidates who lose to DPP members in polls," Hsieh said.

Additional reporting by Shih Hsiu-chuan