Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday disclosed for the first time that she was contemplating whether she would take part in next year’s presidential race.
Tsai made the remark when asked by reporters whether she was considering running in the presidential election.
“I hope the party primary will go smoothly and produce a most professional and competitive candidate,” she said.
“I don’t want to shun the question you just asked. Sure, I can respond [by saying that] I’ve been contemplating the matter,” she added.
Although Tsai failed to win the New Taipei City (新北市) mayoral election last November, she is considered by some political observers as one of the party’s most likely candidates for president.
Tsai said she was focused on whether the party’s candidate could lead a unified DPP to victory in the election, lead Taiwan to a new future and give young people a future they can look forward to.
“I don’t have an exact answer now, but I have been weighing the issue,” Tsai said in regard to her thoughts about running in the presidential election.
As to a proposal by some DPP members that she should team up with former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) for the election, Tsai said everyone was entitled to their own opinion.
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