The Taiwan Farmers Party (TFP) will ally with Grace T.H.W. Group president Winston Wang (
TFP Secretary-General Hsiao Han-chun (
The discussion focused on forming a third political force to give local voters more choices amid the protracted standoff between the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) pan-green camp and the pan-blue alliance led by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), the TFP said.
Also present at the meeting were members of a new forum organized by academics to boost the nation's competitiveness.
Although Wang did not promise to join the TFP at the meeting, he did say he looked forward to seeing a third "neutral" force in Taiwanese politics, Hsiao said.
Both sides agreed it was necessary to have candidates participate in the upcoming legislative elections, although they did not touch upon the details of such cooperation, Hsiao said.
He said that whether the "third force" will have a candidate contesting next year's presidential election would be determined after the legislative elections.
The TFP and Wang both believe that the "third force" must be strong in order to ensure peace and development in Taiwan, he said, adding that the "third force" could also help solve the political standoff and fierce conflicts between the pan-green and pan-blue camps.
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