Vice President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday confirmed that he had told President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of his decision to run for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson position.
Tsai resigned as DPP chairperson in the wake of the party’s losses in local elections on Nov. 26. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) was selected to serve as acting chair.
On Wednesday, the DPP’s Central Standing Committee approved a schedule to elect a new chairperson, starting with the registration of candidates from Monday to Friday next week.
Photo copied by Wang Jung-hsiang,Taipei Times
Sources said that Lai was planning to meet Tsai in person to inform her of his decision, but after testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, he telephoned her instead.
Party officials close to Lai said that many within the party have high expectations for Lai, who has been listening and taking in opinions from all sides.
They said that Lai understands that the DPP needs a new leader to revitalize the party and has therefore responded to calls for him to lead it.
He is also thinking of how the party can better respond to public expectations and restore their trust in it, they said.
Presidential Office spokesman Xavier Chang (張惇涵) confirmed that Lai had telephoned the president.
Tsai gave her blessings on Lai’s decision, and promised to assist in all endeavors to lead the party down the right path, Chang told reporters.
Party rules require that all candidates for chairperson pay a registration fee of NT$1.5 million (US$48,884).
After confirming their eligibility, candidates are to present their views to DPP members in at least one televised forum between Dec. 23 and Jan. 13 next year, it said.
The DPP will then hold an election open to all party members on Jan. 15 and formally announce its new chairperson on Jan. 18, it said.
Additional reporting by CNA
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