Pro-independence advocates yesterday called on voters to support the Free Taiwan Party (FTP), saying at a news conference in Taipei that the pan-green camp as a whole — rather than just the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) — should win the majority in next year’s legislative elections, adding that other pan-green parties should keep the DPP in check if it wins the presidency.
“The DPP is now the governing party-to-be, and we do not have any problem with the DPP winning the presidency, but in the legislature, the pan-green camp — not just the DPP — should occupy the majority,” said Janice Chen (陳昭姿), a long-time independence advocate who has accepted the FTP’s nomination as a legislator-at-large candidate.
The party released its full list of candidates at the event.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
“We will be in a competitive, yet cooperative, relationship with the DPP,” Chen said.
“Should the governing [DPP] do something wrong, the FTP would function as a provider of checks and balances,” she said.
Hsiao Hsiao-ling (蕭曉玲), who is another FTP legislator-at-large candidate, echoed Chen’s call.
“Please cast your legislator-at-large ballots for the FTP, as the DPP has too much support now,” Hsiao said.
Hsiao was previously a music teacher at Zhongshan Junior High School in Taipei, but was dismissed in 2007 after criticizing then-Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin’s (郝龍斌) education policy.
Hsiao also filed a lawsuit against Hau.
The party’s other candidates include Taipei Veterans General Hospital doctor Kuo Cheng-tian (郭正典) — who is a member of former president Chen Shui-bian’s (陳水扁) medical team — and rights advocate Lin Yi-fang (林一方), who is to run for the regional seat in Miaoli County.
FTP Chairperson Tsay Ting-kuei (蔡丁貴) said the party would try to gain support from voters with its ideologies of Taiwanese independence, sustainable development and social justice.
“Our main objective is to get enough legislator-at-large ballots to gain seats in the legislature, and we will be aiming for more regional representation in the subsequent legislative election,” Tsay said.
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