By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 - Page 1
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is still confident that collaboration with the People First Party (PFP) in next year’s presidential and legislative elections is possible, and it is willing to withdraw a lawsuit against PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) to show its goodwill, the party said yesterday.
“The KMT still has high expectations and confidence of eventual pan-blue camp cooperation in the upcoming elections,” KMT Secretary-General Liao Liao-yi (廖了以) told a hastily called press conference after Soong suggested in an interview published yesterday that the PFP would break off relations with the KMT.
Soong announced on Sunday and reiterated in an interview yesterday in the Chinese-language Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper) that the PFP would contest seats in the legislative elections.
Soong was also quoted as saying that he was contemplating three options: To run as a district legislative candidate; to put himself on the PFP’s legislator-at-large roster; or to enter the presidential race.
Soong’s candidacy in the presidential election has been seen as a potential spoiler for President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who is neck-and-neck with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson and presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in most opinion polls.
The PFP’s nominations in various districts across the country — possibly more than 15 according to the party — could also jeopardize the KMT’s chances in the legislative elections.
One of the main obstacles that prevented a meeting between the two party chairmen from being organized was the lawsuit filed by King Pu-tsung (金溥聰), executive director of Ma’s campaign office, against Soong, who accused King of staging fraudulent public opinion polls during Soong’s 2000 presidential campaign.
Soong has always said that the poll results, which falsely favored then-vice president and KMT presidential candidate Lien Chan (連戰), were one of the key factors for his narrow loss to DPP candidate Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) by 300,000 votes.
The KMT did not consult the PFP before or during its nomination process of the 73 single-member districts, making cooperation more difficult, Soong said.
King does not rule out withdrawing the suit if both sides are able to “clear the misunderstanding,” Liao quoted King as saying, but added that King would not apologize to Soong.
The PFP chairman is still hesitant about a meeting with Ma because it could create the misconception that the PFP, as a smaller party, was trying to “blackmail” the KMT.
However, Ma has never ceased efforts to contact and communicate with Soong, instructing KMT officials to visit the PFP as early as late March, Liao said.
The PFP subsequently issued a four-point statement last night, stating that the party reaffirmed its participation in the legislative elections, but it neither wanted to “declare war” with any political party nor further engage in rhetoric about the interparty meeting.
The DPP declined to elaborate on Soong’s possible entry in the elections.
“In a democratic society, Soong’s decision should be respected [by everyone]. President Ma will probably be more suited to answer this question since Soong’s next move is expected to pose a greater impact on his campaign,” Tsai said on the sidelines of a campaign event yesterday morning.
The DPP remains confident about winning the presidential election, she said.
The DPP has been observing how the PFP situation is unfolding, Tsai’s campaign spokesperson Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青) said, adding that the party would neither actively contact nor initiate any arrangement with the PFP.
Ma would not be where he is today, facing a potential challenge from Soong, if he had not created this opportunity for Soong, Hsu said.
Three years after the PFP opted to collaborate with the KMT in elections, its party chairman has re-emerged with a different mindset and vision this time, Hsu said.
“Apparently, he [Soong] is not happy with Ma’s performance. He felt that he had to step up because the president only brags about his accomplishments, but is not held accountable,” Hsu said.