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Third candidate
declares bid for ROC presidency
INDEPENDENT THINKER: Without a party
endorsement, Ellen Huang will have to get a petition of at least 257,000
signatures and pay a NT$1 million deposit to participate
By Vincent Y. Chao / Staff Reporter
Former national policy adviser Ellen Huang (黃越綏) launched her presidential
campaign as an independent yesterday, calling her entry into the now three-way
race a “historic moment” that would help usher in a new Taiwan.
Huang told supporters that while she was mainly in the race to “disseminate
ideas about Taiwanese independence,” she would also seek to be included on next
year’s ballot despite the hefty administrative procedures and the absence of a
party endorsement.
“No one dares comment [about independence] because they will offend China. This
is why I must speak out,” Huang said. “We must show the world through a public
referendum that we can decide the kind of country we want Taiwan to be. It’s a
political movement and a social movement.”
Although there is little expectation that Huang will follow through with her
campaign all the way to Jan. 14, she is seen as a force -seeking to -influence
the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) agenda on Taiwanese independence and
amending the Constitution.
Asked about her relationship with the party, the long-time confidante of former
president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said she believed DPP presidential candidate Tsai
Ing-wen (蔡英文) was “talented” and that she would drop her bid if she trailed Tsai
in polls.
“Tsai and I are like sisters. I will continue to look at the poll numbers,” she
said.
Huang’s bid is mostly backed by pro-independence groups and individuals, with
nearly a full roster turning out in force for her announcement. Several DPP
councilors and a former DPP legislator also took part, with the party also
sending a deputy secretary-general.
In a statement, DPP spokesperson Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said the party respected
Huang, but also believed her supporters should “stay united” under a DPP
umbrella.
The 64-year-old, who described herself as a single mother and “literate,” has
been a major figure in pro-independence circles. Previously, she hosted a TV
program and has also published books on marriage counseling.
Without a party endorsement, she will have to petition for at least 257,000
signatures and pay a NT$1 million (US$34,700) deposit to be included on the
presidential ballot. She said she was optimistic in attaining the support, even
without the backing of Chen, who she said advised her to drop the bid.
Among her policies released yesterday, Huang called on the judiciary to reopen
the case into the jailed former president, saying he did not receive a “just
trial.”
Her campaign platform, released to wide acclaim among the dozens of
pro-independence supporters gathered, also included forming a “New Constitution
Commission” to draw up a new Taiwanese constitution that would need to be
approved through a public referendum.
“I propose a platform that will allow Taiwanese to decide, vote and build an
independent nation,” she said.
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