Former Presidential Office -secretary-general Mark Chen (陳唐山) yesterday suggested that he has “not yet considered” taking on Wang Ding-yu’s (王定宇) recently vacated legislative campaign in Greater Tainan despite widespread calls for him to do so.
“I have already held different positions in the central government,” said Chen, who also previously served as foreign affairs minister. “I have not yet completely considered the possibility of running in any future elections.”
Chen revealed last week that he had been asked by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to run in Greater Tainan’s fifth district after Wang, a five-term councilor who won the primary to become the DPP’s nominee, was involved in a party row.
In a tearful announcement made at the personal urging of DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Wednesday, Wang said he would no longer seek the seat despite winning the party primary by a convincing margin.
Chen is seen as a natural successor to the legislative seat — which opened up after Wang beat incumbent Lee Chun-yee (李俊毅) — having held two terms as Tainan County commissioner and enjoying a close relationship with the popular city councilor.
Wang said he would support Chen, “regardless of whatever decision he makes.”
The controversy in Greater Tainan’s fifth district is seen as a headache for the DPP that has identified winning the area by a wide margin as key to Tsai’s chances next year.
Both Chen and Wang yesterday suggested that the row was a product of factional divides.
The two are both members of Chen Shui-bian’s (陳水扁) One Side, One Country alliance, a close-knit group of DPP lawmakers close to the imprisoned former president.
Angrily slamming the party, Mark Chen said that Tsai was unable to resolve the difficulties that started when Wang was accused of misusing Typhoon Morakot donations. Wang has said that the allegations were fabricated by his former election opponent, Lee.
“Tsai wants to be president, and very well could be president, but she is still unable to resolve this incident. How does she plan on handling the nation’s affairs?” Mark Chen asked.
“The chairperson has been unable to make a decision that is reasonable and fulfills the public’s expectations,” he said.
DPP officials refused to comment on the accusations, but spokesperson Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) said a new party task force was looking for another candidate.
Party officials have not speculated on the potential nominee, but former Tainan County commissioner Su Huan-chih (蘇煥智) is also understood to be on the shortlist if plans to nominate Mark Chen fall through.
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