Former vice premier Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) was yesterday mentioned as a possible party leader in the wake of the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) defeats in January’s legislative elections and the presidential election last month.
DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) told reporters after the party’s Central Standing Committee meeting yesterday afternoon that he, Chiayi County Commissioner Chen Ming-wen (陳明文) and Kaohsiung County Commissioner Yang Chiu-hsing (楊秋興) all considered Tsai a suitable candidate for party chairman, taking into account her expertise on cross-strait relations, economic affairs and her commitment to reform.
“What the party needs right now is someone who can lead the reform effort and is capable of integrating different opinions,” he said. “Reform is the only chance the party has to survive.”
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Chen said that they would team up with the DPP legislative caucus and DPP local chiefs to persuade Tsai to take on the responsibility of leading the party.
Yang praised Tsai’s educational background, political experience, social stature and clean image, saying that she would not only fulfill public expectations but would also help the party garner support from the younger generation and from women.
Yang said they had hoped to see the new party leader chosen via negotiations, but now it looks like there will be a contest, they would try to talk Tsai into standing.
In addition to 73-year-old DPP Legislator Chai Trong-rong (蔡同榮), who announced his candidacy on Monday, 82-year-old former senior presidential adviser Koo Kwang-ming (辜寬敏) has also picked up a registration form and is set to make a final decision on whether to run in the next few days.
Some younger party members are also eager to have a try. Straits Exchange Foundation Vice Chairman Michael You (游盈隆) yesterday picked up a registration form, but said he would only stand if there were no other “suitable” candidates.
You defined a “suitable” candidate as someone who had a strong Taiwan-centered consciousness, who was selfless, broad-minded, tolerant and had vision and style. The candidate should be capable of promoting unity inside and outside the party and have the resolution to carry out drastic reform, You said.
You declined to comment on whether Tsai or Council of Agriculture Chairman Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) were suitable to lead the party, saying they deserved credit for coming forward and that the party members would be the judge.
DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday encouraged those interested to register before tomorrow’s deadline. He also welcomed suggestions from younger party members on reforms.
While there is talk of a generational change, Hsieh said older members should not necessarily be discarded.
More than 1,000 younger members have joined the party since it offered the incentive to allow them to vote in the chairmanship election. Hsieh said he hoped to see 1,000 more join before April 25.
In related news, a coalition of pro-independence groups yesterday urged the DPP old guard to make way for the younger generation and to amend party regulations to allow members who have not paid membership fees to run in the election.
They were referring to former Presidential Office secretary-general Chen Shih-meng (陳師孟), who is not qualified to run because he has not paid his membership fees.
Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) said that age should not be a problem. It is important to pass on the torch, but it would violate the party’s founding spirit if there was any infighting during the transition of power between the old and new generations, she said.
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