KMT calls for solidarity; DPP sees big gain in Dec. elections

Legislator Fu, who is running as an independent, has been advocating the construction of the controversial Suao-Hualien freeway, a project backed by many residents.

Ma and other KMT leaders went to Hsinchu Saturday to campaign for Hsinchu County magistrate candidate Chiu Ching-chun, who is faced with vigorous contests from both DPP candidate and a KMT rebel who was expelled.

The DPP controls only three of the 17 counties and cities up for grabs but hopes to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with the Ma administration, including the prolonged economic sluggishness, high unemployment rate, floods in southern Taiwan in August, and the new controversy over the government's consent on easing the imports of U.S. beef products.

Frank Hsieh, former premier and DPP chairman, forecast his party will be able to expand its seats of counties and cities to seven from current three.

Hsieh said the DPP will be able to retain the seats of Yunlin, Chiayi and Pingtung counties plus a good chance to retake Yilan County from the KMT and hold at least a 50 percent chance to win over three other counties and cities.

He said President Ma should focus on solving the “beef problem” instead of keeping himself busy with election campaigns.

The DPP has skillfully turned the beef trade into a major election issue in time by calling for an outright ban on imports of American ground beef, internal organs, and other parts to safeguard local consumers from threats of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease.

The party is also working with civic groups to call for reopening beef trade talks with the U.S. and to rally for a nationwide referendum on the issue.

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