Next year's elections a watershed: Tsai

“We can only say that this year, the DPP has managed to find a foothold, improve its strength and morale, and rekindle the passion of its supporters,” Tsai said at a foreign press briefing.

“The real political watershed for the DPP and the KMT will come next year,” she added.

Tsai was referring to the elections in 2010 for the heads of five municipalities -- Taipei City, New Taipei City (an upgrade of what is presently Taipei County), Taichung (a merger of Taichung City and County), Tainan (a merger of Tainan City and County) and Kaohsiung (a merger of Kaohsiung City and County).

The results of the Dec. 5 local elections in 17 of Taiwan's 25 counties and cities were generally seen by the public and analysts as a victory for the DPP and a setback for the KMT.

Even though the KMT won 12 of the 17 mayor and magistrate seats that were up for grabs, its support base was weakened in several localities. This time, the KMT won 47.88 percent of the vote, less than the 50.96 percent it gained in the previous local elections for 23 magistrates and mayors in 2005.

In comparison, the DPP's victory in Yilan, its retention of three other seats, and its inroads into the KMT's traditional strongholds of Penghu and Taitung, were seen as an affirmation of Tsai's leadership.

Tsai took over the party helm in May 2008 at a time when the DPP was in disarray because of a series of snowballing corruption scandals surrounding former President Chen-shui bian.

Tsai said that the DPP may be rising from the ashes, but it is still no match for the KMT at the moment.

However, that the results of last Saturday's elections have opened the possibility of the DPP regaining power, a senario that had previously seemed impossible, she added.

“I believe people would now start thinking that the DPP is capable of getting its act together and regaining the support of the Taiwan people,” Tsai said. “The DPP could return to power in 2016, if not in 2012.”

Tsai attributed her party's strong showing to what she called the government's poor performance and the DPP's election strategy that she said was focused on specific public issues.

The public can tell the difference between important matters and the personal charm of political stars, she added.

Asked whether she will run for presidency in 2012, Tsai said it is too early to talk about that, as her party will first focus on next year's municipality elections.

“Since the DPP no longer has political stars like former President Chen Shui-bian, candidates must be chosen based on party consensus,” Tsai said. “In light of Taiwan's fast-changing political environment, no one can give a definite answer to questions like that now.”

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