Legislative speaker seeks DPP support

Democratic Progressive Party legislator-elect Yu Tien, left, and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng attend a media conference in Taipei yesterday. Yu talked about claims that his son, Ken Yu, had been involved in a fight over a parking space. Yu said he hoped the police would handle the dispute fairly and that media reports on the issue are balanced. PHOTO: CNA

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), who was nominated for re-election as speaker by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), yesterday began his own campaign by seeking support from several Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators.

During a visit to DPP legislator-elect Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲), Wang promised to play a gatekeeper role to ensure that legislative reviews of government budget requests and bills proceed smoothly no matter which party comes into power in the future.

Although Twu lauded Wang's performance as speaker, he expressed concerns to Wang about the neutrality of former KMT caucus whip Tseng Yung-chuan (曾永權), the KMT caucus' newly nominated candidate for the deputy speakership.

Twu said that he expected both the speaker and deputy speaker to maintain impartiality in the legislature.

He added that he would respect any decision made by the DPP caucus on the speakership election.

Meanwhile, DPP caucus whip Wang Sing-nan (王幸男), who received Wang Jin-pyng at his office, made a public show of support for the legislative speaker.

However, Wang Sing-nan said the DPP caucus would not issue any resolution requiring its legislators to support Wang Jin-pyng.

When asked for comment, Wang Sing-nan said the DPP would not be paying too much attention to the legislative speaker's election, but would keep its focus on promoting the economy and legislation affecting the livelihood of citizens, as well as campaigning for the presidential election in March.

Wang also visited Council of Hakka Affairs Deputy Minister Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) and DPP legislators Tien Chiu-chin (田秋堇) and Huang Sue-ying (黃淑英).

The legislature is expected to elect a speaker and deputy speaker after the new legislature convenes on Feb. 1.

Wang Jin-pyng, a three-term speaker, is seeking re-election.

The DPP, which holds 27 of the 113 seats in the legislature, is not expected to nominate anyone to compete for the position with the KMT.

Additional reporting by Jimmy Chuang