President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) popularity has been lagging behind the Lien-Soong team since the KMT and PFP declared an alliance for the next presidential election, and analysts believe some DPP and government officials will be blamed for not cooperating with the president.
"Although President Chen has announced economy and reform as policy targets, critical events have shown the DPP and Cabinet officials lack a consensus and their selfishness has led to internal conflicts that have offset the government's overall political achievements," said Chin Heng-wei (金恆煒), editor in chief of Contemporary Monthly magazine.
Chin took Chen's vow to implement his reform plan early this year as an example. Although Chen announced he would get rid of political influence in the media, DPP Legislator Trong Chai, (蔡同榮) has refused to give up his position as chairman of Formosa Television (FTV).
"Since the regime change, the DPP has not yet established a consensus of its own. First, Chen failed to fairly allot power in the party. Second, some egotistical party-faction leaders have used excuses to oppose reform," Chin said.
Despite pressure from his party and the media, Chai last week said many of the people from his home-town were offering him support and that former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) had also suggested that he stay on in his post at FTV.
Chai said he would not resign until the government and the KMT sold their interests in terrestrial TV stations. The government is the main shareholder of Taiwan Television and the China Television System, while the KMT runs the China Television Company.
Meanwhile, the fate of a planned exhibition hall in Nankang, Taipei City, has caused another conflict between the central and Taipei City governments which has hurt the credibility of Chen's pledge to boost the economy.
"Before the Council for Econ-omic Planning and Development finalized its evaluation, the government had called for moving the exhibition hall from Nankang to Sanhsia, Taipei County. Some officials had criticized Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) without grounds which raised doubts about the government's ability to coordinate," said Ku Chung-hwa (顧忠華), a professor of sociology at National Chengchi University and chairman of the Taipei Society.
Ku said Chen's efforts to improve cooperation by holding several weekend meetings with senior Cabinet officials have failed.
"I am afraid this is going to make Chen's re-election tougher," Ku said. "Chen has one of the best campaign teams in the country, but his administration's capability is what the people are really concerned about."
"If Chen fails to improve his popularity, speculators in the DPP will switch their support. By then, the DPP would face a more difficult presidential campaign," Ku said.
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