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DPP members discuss Tsai Ing-wen's candidacy

Former vice premier Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) last-minute registration for the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) chairmanship election remained the center of discussion among DPP figures yesterday.

Former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said Tsai was an ideal candidate for the DPP chair. He said he hoped Tsai’s decision to join the election would not irritate fellow DPP members.

“It is always bad when DPP members argue over elections,” Su said. “It will be the best scenario if we can coordinate and come up with a consensus for a new chairman.”

Su said Tsai must be very confident about being able to do the job. He said he believed that Tsai would be able to rebuild the DPP’s reputation because she is a politician with a great reputation and a good public image.

“Her participating in the election gives DPP members a new option. It is a good thing,” Su said.

One of Tsai’s competitors, Legislator Chai Trong-rong (蔡同榮) agreed with Su, saying that the best option for the three candidates would be to “coordinate,” but he said he was worried about Tsai’s suitability for the role.

“Tsai is not familiar with a chairman’s duties so it would be difficult for us to ‘coordinate’ under these circumstances,” Chai said.

Chai said that the position is not just about control of the DPP but the chairman also has responsibilities to DPP members. Comparing himself with Tsai, he said that Tsai is an experienced politician, but a rookie when it comes to taking a job at DPP headquarters. He described himself as a “senior” regarding DPP-related affairs.

“I would support her if she shows the ability to do the job,” Tsai said. “But, I believe that I know better how to win an election and how to carry out policies which will benefit the DPP.”

Meanwhile, DPP legislative caucus members said they believed Tsai has a great chance of winning the chairmanship election, even though they acknowledged the criticism that Tsai was unfamiliar with a party chairman’s duties.

“She fits everybody’s expectations for what a DPP chairman should be. At least, I have not heard any complaints about her so far,” said DPP legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘).

DPP Legislator Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯) lauded Tsai’s clean reputation. He said that many DPP senior members would be willing to help Tsai out with the chair’s duties so she would not have to worry.

“Tsai is a unique character with her clean reputation. Also, the DPP has never had a chairwoman before so it may be a good chance for change,” he said.
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