The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) yesterday agreed to use public polling to decide on a coalition presidential ticket, with the result to be announced on Saturday.
New Taipei City Mayor and KMT candidate Hou You-yi (侯友宜), KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) and TPP Chairman and candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) met in a last-minute attempt to break a stalemate over who would represent the opposition on the presidential ballot for the Jan. 13 elections.
The parties met behind closed doors at the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation in Taipei, with former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) serving as a witness.
Photo courtesy of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)
In a joint statement following the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, the participants said they had agreed to use polling results as the basis of their decision on whether Hou or Ko would lead the ballot as presidential candidate, and who would serve as running mate.
Polling experts would analyze the results of public opinion polls conducted from Tuesday last week to tomorrow, in addition to one poll conducted by each of the parties, they said.
For each poll, if a candidate wins by more than the margin of error, they would receive one point, but if neither exceeds the margin of error, it would count as one point toward a Hou-led ticket, they said.
This means that for Ko to earn a point, he would have to win a poll by more than the margin of error.
The KMT, the TPP and Ma would each nominate a polling expert of their choice, the statement said, adding that the result would be announced by the foundation on Saturday morning.
The parties were previously at an impasse on how to form a coalition ballot, with the KMT favoring an open primary and the TPP favoring opinion polls.
The decision appears to be a compromise between these positions, with the KMT conceding to the use of opinion polls, although its candidate is to be prioritized in close contests.
The two sides struck “a cooperation agreement, creating a new record in Taiwan’s political history,” Ma told reporters after the meeting.
“This cooperation will enable mutual assistance between the two parties in future elections and other aspects, making it a very memorable day for both parties,” he added.
“Regardless of the outcome, and no matter who is the presidential or vice presidential candidate, we must work hand-in-hand to ensure peace and stability in the Republic of China,” Hou said.
After the ballot is decided, the two parties are to form a joint campaign to assist all candidates from the two parties running in the legislative elections, the statement said.
They also agreed to form a coalition Cabinet if elected, with ministers other than for national defense, foreign affairs and cross-strait affairs — who are chosen by the president — to be decided based on the proportion of legislators from each party, it said.
The TPP would focus on government supervision, while the KMT would be responsible for construction and development, the statement said.
Candidates for the presidential election must formally register from Monday to Friday next week.
Kuo Ya-hui (郭雅慧), spokeswoman for Vice President William Lai’s (賴清德) campaign office, accused the parties of seeking to “share the spoils.”
Whether they team up or not, Lai, of the Democratic Progressive Party, remains the only candidate with a complete policy blueprint, she said, adding that their campaign would not be affected by the decision.
Additional reporting by Chen Yun, CNA and AFP
The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) is to tighten rules for candidates running for public office, requiring them to declare that they do not hold a Chinese household registration or passport, and that they possess no other foreign citizenship. The requirement was set out in a draft amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act (公職人員選舉罷免法 ) released by the ministry on Thursday. Under the proposal, candidates would need to make the declaration when submitting their registration forms, which would be published in the official election bulletin. The move follows the removal of several elected officials who were
The Republic of China (ROC) is celebrating its 114th Double Ten National Day today, featuring military parades and a variety of performances and speeches in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei. The Taiwan Taiko Association opened the celebrations with a 100-drummer performance, including young percussionists. As per tradition, an air force Mirage 2000 fighter jet flew over the Presidential Office as a part of the performance. The Honor Guards of the ROC and its marching band also heralded in a military parade. Students from Taichung's Shin Min High School then followed with a colorful performance using floral imagery to represent Taiwan's alternate name
FOUR DESIGNATED AREAS: Notices were issued for live-fire exercises in waters south and northwest of Penghu, northeast of Keelung and west of Kaohsiung, they said The military is planning three major annual exercises across the army, navy and air force this month, with the navy’s “Hai Chiang” (海強, “Sea Strong”) drills running from today through Thursday, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday. The Hai Chiang exercise, which is to take place in waters surrounding Taiwan, would feature P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and S-70C anti-submarine helicopters, the ministry said, adding that the drills aim to bolster the nation’s offshore defensive capabilities. China has intensified military and psychological pressure against Taiwan, repeatedly sending warplanes and vessels into areas near the nation’s air defense identification zone and across
A Chinese takeover of Taiwan would severely threaten the national security of the US, Japan, the Philippines and other nations, while global economic losses could reach US$10 trillion, National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan (林飛帆) wrote in an article published yesterday in Foreign Affairs. “The future of Taiwan is not merely a regional concern; it is a test of whether the international order can withstand the pressure of authoritarian expansionism,” Lin wrote in the article titled “Taiwan’s Plan for Peace Through Strength — How Investments in Resilience Can Deter Beijing.” Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) intent to take Taiwan by force
RSS