In his efforts to split those in the KMT and People First Party (PFP) who want to join forces, former president Lee Teng-hui (
The analysts drew their conclusions from revelations in Tzou Jiing-wen's (
"[Lee's move] is just a mild front, to be followed by another stronger blast. This will definitely have a negative impact on cooperation between the KMT and the PFP," DPP Legislator Chen Chi-mai (
Chen added that the book pulled no punches in detailing the disagreements between Lee and his former colleagues, KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜).
Recently, Lien and Soong have been developing an alliance to oppose Chen's administration and to increase their legislative seats through electoral cooperation. Both have abandoned their past resentment over defeat in last year's presidential election to reach this goal.
But the book appears likely to reopen old wounds.
"Any clash [between Lien and Soong on the one hand and Lee on the other], will cause Lee's supporters to completely transfer their allegiance to the DPP in the year-end elections," said Chin Heng-wei (金恆煒), editor in chief of Contemporary Monthly. Chin added that Lee has further split the so-called pan-blue camp -- those in the PFP and KMT who want to cooperate -- into grassroots and non-grassroots factions.
Down playing the potential significance of the book, DPP Secretary General Wu Nai-jen (
"This is the family elder teaching the children a lesson. Outsiders should stay away from it," Wu said.
But Tzou's book could well trigger another round of political infighting within the opposition camp. Some observers believe, however, that the revelations will not further burden Chen's administration by causing more political instability.
On the contrary, they say, it will have the opposite effect of helping the government to shift the blame.
"Now, the opposition parties have to shoulder all the responsibility for political instability because it's they who are the troublemakers," said DPP central standing committee member, Lawrence Gao (高志鵬), adding that the popularity of DPP candidates would be boosted if Lee campaigned for them in the December elections.
Endorsing Gao's view, Chin said that the public had not turned a blind eye to the difficulties Chen's administration faced.
"The public fully understands that the political instability is attributable to the inaction of the legislature, not just to Chen's administration," Chin said.
According to the book, Lee ponders the possibility of a coalition government and hints that Chen should ally with the grass-roots faction within the KMT if a coalition government is to be established next year.
Lee's suggestion was immediately endorsed by the DPP. "Lee's analysis is pretty close to that of the party," Wu said without elaborating.
DPP spokesman Phoenix Cheng (鄭運鵬), however, gave a much clearer answer. "Lee's analysis will increase the inclination of other parties to form a coalition government with the DPP," Cheng said.
Chin, however, added that it was still too early to say. But he also said that "Lee has mapped out the best solution for the DPP government."
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