Talks of party realignment continued to grip the political establishment yesterday with a top presidential aide saying the government is mulling forming an alliance with opposition groups and lawmakers.
But the main opposition KMT, seeking to avert disunity, dismissed such talks as gambits by self-seeking politicians trying to take advantage of ethnic divisions.
"There is ample room for cross-party cooperation after the year-end elections," secretary-general to the president Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
"The venture may take the shape of a party-to-party coalition or party-to-individual alliance."
Yu was elaborating on the potential party realignment President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) mentioned during a talk with media executives on Thursday night. Chen predicted that some political parties may disintegrate, others may split and some will reorganize after the legislative elections in December.
To preserve political stability, the president is now receptive to a coalition, which he had denounced as a naked power struggle.
Yu said, however, that Chen would not enter into any cross-party deals before the time is right.
"The key lies in the legislative elections," Yu added. "If the DPP fails to outdo rival camps, all talks of cross-party cooperation would be meaningless."
While eager to inflate its presence in the legislature, the ruling party has resisted nominating candidates beyond its electoral strength -- about 30 percent of the total votes based on its past showings. The presidential aide, however, is hopeful that the DPP can expand its influence in the legislature and attributed the optimism to the KMT's increasing departure from the center of the political spectrum.
Also, he noted that the voters tend to sympathize with the weak in elections, a factor which Yu believed would benefit the DPP.
The opposition bloc, cashing in on its numerical superiority, has repeatedly voted down policy bills proposed by the government.
To reverse its underdog status, the government is wooing KMT lawmakers who identify with former president Lee Teng-hui's (
To appear unharmed, KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
"The KMT will remain the largest political force after the elections because we will nominate the best candidates," Lien said during a news conference for the Taipei Foreign Correspondents Club.
He said that after a series of reforms, the party now consists of members who share common goals.
"I don't think you can find pro-independence advocates within the KMT or men who seek to take advantage of ethnic divisions [to advance their own careers]," Lien said.
He added that his confidence is founded on years of camaraderie.
"Many of us have worked together for so many years. We have trust in each other," Lien said.
Echoing Lien's theme, KMT Legislator Hung Hsing-rong (洪性榮), widely seen as being a member of the pro-Lee faction, noted that a coalition is no guarantee for stability, as officials of different parties may bicker among themselves, making smooth administration impossible.
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