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Yu performs U-turn, says he has no poll ambitions

Former premier Yu Shyi-kun visits a Democratic Progressive Party campaign rally in Yilan yesterday. PHOTO: HU CHIEN-SEN, TAIPEI TIMES

Former premier Yu Shyi-kun (游錫堃) yesterday performed a U-turn over whether he was willing to represent the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in next year’s special municipality elections.

On Saturday, Yu said that he would be willing to participate in a mayoral election, but yesterday in Yilan, Yu said that he had no intention of taking part and that the whole thing was a misunderstanding.

Former vice president Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) said yesterday that the DPP should nominate younger party members for next year’s special municipality elections.

Lu said she respected Yu’s opinions, but it was “backward” to talk about the party’s old “heavyweights.”

On Saturday, Yu had said the DPP should give priority to younger candidates wishing to run for city mayor elections next year, but if the DPP’s strategy was to assign older party members to run, he would be happy to step up.

Confronted by reporters yesterday, Lu said: “There are no such things as ‘heavyweights.’ It’s backward to talk about such things. I don’t think the ‘heavyweights’ themselves would admit [they are ‘heavyweights’].”

The term “heavyweights” is commonly used in reference to Lu, Yu, and former premiers Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and Frank Hsieh (謝長廷). When asked whether she believed the four, including herself, should run for city mayor positions, she replied that she didn’t know, because she is only concerned about Taiwan’s future, not about personal pursuits.

Acting DPP spokesperson Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) yesterday said DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) had said that the candidates for city mayor elections would not be discussed until after the county commissioner elections next month.

Meanwhile, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said yesterday that he was confident that he would be re-elected next year.

“Yu is a great talent and I welcome the DPP to send a great candidate to compete,” Hau said. “I have confidence in myself and I believe the wise residents of Taipei will make a wise decision.”

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY MO YAN-CHIH
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