Minister Yeh resigns

The primaries consisted of a popular vote by party members and a straw vote.

In the face of strong opposition by five contenders who have already registered their candidacy, the ruling party had to revive the straw poll.

Party members are not required to vote for a nominee now.

That is necessary, because Yeh can never win that vote, said front-runner Fu Kun-cheng.

Fu, the veteran lawmaker, has overwhelming support of Kuomintang members in the county. But the party bans him from running.

He has been convicted of insider trading and sentenced to ten years in prison. The party does not allow any convicted member to run for a public office.

Four other hopefuls — Yang Wen-chih, Chang Chih-ming, Tsai Chi-ta and Tu li-hua — welcome Yeh's participation in the straw vote.

Yeh, who called a press conference to announce his resignation, promised he would support the winner of the straw poll, if he loses it.

But Chang, the incumbent deputy magistrate, said he would “run to the end” even if he loses the poll. He is ready to bolt the party, like the legislator.

Whether Yeh can win the straw vote is open to doubt.

If he does, just as the ruling party hopes, Yeh may face an uphill struggle.

Voters will go to the polls in December to elect 17 magistrates and mayors across the country.

With the two local heavyweights bolting the party, the Kuomintang's voter support in Hualien will be split three ways.

That gives the opposition party a chance to win. Su Jia-quan, a former minister of the interior, is expected to move into Hualien today in order to run for magistrate. He also served as magistrate of Pingtung and chairman of the Council of Agriculture.

Concentrating his attacks on Yeh for his desertion from the efforts against swine flu, Su is perceived now to have more than a 50-50 chance of getting elected as magistrate of Hualien.

1|2

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email