Pro-independence groups yesterday endorsed Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), saying Taiwan cannot afford to return to one-party rule following the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) victory in Saturday's legislative elections.
The DPP suffered a bruising defeat in Saturday's elections, securing only 27 out of 113 legislative seats. The KMT won 81 seats, securing a comfortable two-thirds majority in the legislature.
Northern Taiwan Society president Chang Shyue-yih (
The nation's democracy could have a slim chance of survival if Hsieh is elected, he said.
Former senior presidential adviser Koo Kwang-ming (辜寬敏) called on the DPP and its supporters to be patient in the run-up to the presidential election in March.
Koo said Hsieh has the full support of pro-independence groups.
Although the DPP won only 36 percent of the second-ballot legislative vote, the support base is secure, he said.
Reverend Kao Chun-ming (
But the public has no time to mourn the loss, because they must focus on the next election, he said.
Former senior presidential adviser Wu Li-pei (
Wu said the public should give the DPP a second chance and the DPP must engage in introspection and rekindle the public's passion.
Taiwan Association of University Professors chairman Tsay Ting-kuei (
But the KMT does not deserve to govern, because it buys votes, Tsay said.
In light of the failure of the two referendums held in conjunction with the legislative elections, Tsay proposed a referendum seeking the abolition of the Referendum Law (
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