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DPP tightens belt, plans fundraisers after election loss

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday approved belt-tightening measures to help improve its financial situation, which has been adversely affected by its legislative and presidential election losses.

DPP Spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang (鄭文燦) said a democracy needed a strong opposition party to keep the ruling party in check.

In addition to reducing expenditures, Cheng said the DPP Central Standing Committee, which met yesterday, decided to hold a series of fund-raising events to cover the party’s annual deficit, which is estimated at NT$103.5 million (US$3.4 million).

The elections in March alone left the DPP with a NT$80 million shortfall, Cheng said.

The party will launch its fund-raising campaign next Thursday. It hopes the program, titled “NT$1,000 per person to make democracy more vibrant,” will raise NT$20 million in two months.

All party officials received fund-raising targets, which they can pursue by selling banquet tickets, Cheng said.

DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has been tasked with raising NT$10 million, as was Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), director of the the DPP’s Financial Management Committee. Central Standing Committee members and local chiefs are expected to raise NT$1.5 million each, while Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) is responsible for raising NT$2 million. Individual legislators must raise NT$500,000 each.

Although Central Standing Committee member Huang Ching-lin (黃慶林) said it would be difficult for him to raise that much money before his term ends next month, Cheng said it was the responsibility of all party members to contribute.

The party will also seek financial support from civic groups and individuals. To cut down on costs, the committee decided not to fill any vacancies and to recruit young people or retirees as volunteers.

The party’s Policy Research Committee will also be restructured as a think tank-like unit and staffed with former political appointees and former legislators.
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