Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators yesterday came up with a proposal in support of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), who has been dogged recently by a string of corruption allegations involving his close aides, the first lady and his in-laws.
The proposal will be discussed during the party's two-day national congress starting today and will become a party resolution should it pass.
The proposal reads: "In order to stabilize the political situation and rebuild the party's credibility and support, all party members should stand together and believe in President Chen's integrity."
Legislator Lee Chun-yee (李俊毅), the initiator of the proposal, said that integrity was one of the party's core values and it helped the party hold the reins of government.
"President Chen has long devoted his best efforts to party development, his integrity should be endorsed. Faith in his integrity is something in which party members can put their confidence when pursuing Taiwanese independence and democracy," the proposal said.
Chen has been under mounting pressure to resign, following a string of alleged corruption scandals while the DPP seems divided over how best to deal with the situation.
Earlier this week, the convener of the party's New Tide faction Tuan Yi-kang (段宜康) suggested creating a "collective discussion mechanism," a measure he said could place limits on the president's authority in light of his flagging popularity.
Members of Green Alliance, another party faction, yesterday told a press conference that party members should stop their internal bickering and get behind the president.
Green Alliance convener Wu Fu-quei (
According to DPP Spokesman Tsai Huang-liang (
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