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Tsai must push DPP’s 10-year plan
Monday, Apr 26, 2010, Page 8
On April 11, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) began a series of public
forums, the first on the aging population. The second, on the environment, was
on Thursday, with plans for others ranging from globalization to international
relations, including with China.
These meetings are meant to open a public dialogue to help the DPP map a 10-year
policy platform. Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has given the project the
highest priority, although she says it will not replace fundamental party
values.
Tsai, who is up for re-election next month, believes that the DPP must prepare
to govern Taiwan’s next generation. She has criticized politicians for being too
concerned with short-term objectives and has vowed to make the DPP a party that
is “insightful and forward-looking.”
The DPP is at an historic juncture. Soundly defeated in the 2008 presidential
election, the DPP has made something of a comeback in recent months. Under
Tsai’s leadership, the party made significant gains in legislative by-elections
by capitalizing on the economic downturn and on a string of Chinese Nationalist
Party (KMT) political blunders since the party assumed power.
However, the DPP remains in a precarious position. Inspiring as they were, last
year’s victories added little to the party’s legislative power. In addition, the
gains that were made were due to declining KMT popularity rather than anything
the DPP had done to gain support.
As Tsai is likely to be re-elected as party chair next month, two things are
worth considering concerning how she will lead the DPP at this important time.
First is the relationship between Tsai’s 10-year plan and the party’s election
strategy. The DPP has a great deal riding on polls in November and in 2012.
Recent momentum must be sustained and if the party doesn’t win the presidency at
the next election, it must make a serious challenge. Another poor showing could
be fatal.
Yet Tsai has denied that the new long-term platform will be an issue in either
of these elections.
It may be that she is playing down the plan to avoid alarming core supporters.
Or she may hope to evade countermeasures by flying under the KMT’s radar. Either
way, it is not the time for the DPP to hide its light under a bushel.
Beginning with its series of public forums — which are a welcome relief from the
KMT’s dictatorial approach to policy — the 10-year plan is an excellent
initiative that should be front and center in DPP election strategy over the
next two years.
In addition to its democratic approach, the plan notably broadens the party’s
platform, distinguishing it from the KMT and giving it the credibility it lacked
as a viable political alternative. Nothing could be more damaging to the 2012
DPP campaign than to appear to have been merely obstructionist during its time
in opposition.
The second thing to consider about Tsai’s next term as chair is how the new
platform addresses relations with China. Taiwanese sovereignty has long been the
DPP’s main reason for being, and given the trouble this caused the previous DPP
government, it is clear that everything will depend on resolving this.
Recalling the DPP’s Taiwan Independence Clause (台獨黨綱) in 1991, Resolution on
Taiwan’s Future (台灣前途決議文) in 1999, and the Normal Country Resolution (正常國家決議文)
in 2007, it is clear the party is capable of amending its platform to keep pace
with changes in geopolitics.
Yet this is really the No. 1 problem now facing the DPP. Any chance of mounting
a serious challenge in 2012 will depend on winning support from political
moderates and they remain skeptical of the party’s ability to manage relations
across the strait.
Tsai must be pragmatic in reducing tensions with China. She must also be
critical and creative in fashioning a policy that succeeds, while not merely
capitulating to military and economic pressure.
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