TSU likely to expel legislators, Yin, Huang, today

The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) is likely to expel two of its legislators today, following the dismissal of legislators Liao Pen-yen (廖本煙) and Huang Chung-yung (黃宗源) last Monday.

TSU spokeswoman Chou Mei-li (周美里) said yesterday that she believed the party's Central Executive Committee will discuss the matter when it meets today should any member make such a request.

Chou made the remarks in response to a report in yesterday's Chinese-language United Daily News,which quoted TSU Taipei City Councilor Chen Chien-ming (陳建銘) as saying that the committee was likely to expel TSU legislators Yin Ling-ying (尹伶瑛) and David Huang (黃適卓) today.

Yin said on Saturday that she would join the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) if it would help the pan-green camp win the January legislative elections.

David Huang said that he was confused by the dismissal of Liao and Huang Chung-yung and that he should be expelled too if being too close to DPP members was the reason behind the two men's expulsion.

free choice

Chou said that David Huang, as a responsible politician, has the right to choose freely if he does not identify with the party line.

Yin should ask whether the DPP supports her proposal, Chou said.

TSU Legislator Lin Jih-jia (林志嘉), director of the party's caucus office and one of the initiators of the motion to dismiss Liao and Huang Chung-yung, blamed the pair's close relationship with the DPP's disbanded New Tide faction for their dismissal.

Lin yesterday said he did not know whether anybody would file a dismissal motion at today's meeting but suspected it could happen.

talk

DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said yesterday that the current atmosphere has affected both parties' plans to cooperate in the legislative elections.

TSU caucus whip Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) yesterday urged both sides to sit down and talk.

He said the DPP will place its presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) in a bad position if it continues to damage the cooperation between the two parties, boosting the chances of a "third force."

join

Huang Chung-yung said that he and Liao would eventually join the DPP, but did not know whether they would do so with Yin and David Huang, if they were expelled.

Huang Chung-yung said that he would need to discuss joining the DPP with his supporters, but believed that he would be able to make a decision before the DPP's Central Standing Committee meets on Wednesday or next week.

Liao said that he would wait until the TSU's Central Executive Committee verifies his expulsion today before thinking about his next step.