The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was keeping a low profile yesterday following its defeat in Saturday's presidential election.
TV showed DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (
Hsieh told supporters shortly after his loss on Saturday night that he would "keep every promise" he made in the run-up to the election. He said he would quit politics if he lost.
PHOTO: LO PEI-DER, TAIPEI TIMES
Hsieh won only 41.55 percent of the ballots cast, against 58.45 percent garnered by his Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) rival Ma Ying-jeou (
It is also customary at the DPP for the party chairman to bear responsibility for an election loss by resigning from the post. Hsieh succeed President Chen Shui-bian (
Hsieh's running mate, Su Tseng-chang (
A DPP legislator who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Hsieh should follow the custom and resign from the post.
Among the contenders who the media have speculated could replace Hsieh are Su, former DPP chairman Yu Shyi-kun and Presidential Office Secretary-General Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭).
DPP Legislator Huang Wei-cher (黃偉哲) said that what the party must now do is "heal its wounds," adding that prominent party members have a duty to set the example by taking a good critical look at themselves.
DPP Legislator Lee Chun-yee (
With its legislative minority, Lee said the DPP must play an aggressive role in scrutinizing the KMT's performance and use public opinion to keep the KMT in check.
Additional reporting by AFP
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