Amid calls for incumbant DPP chairman Lin I-hsiung (
Lin confirmed yesterday that he would announce his final decision tomorrow as to whether he would run again for the post, but insiders said that the chairman's decision not to continue was already settled.
Whether or not Lin will stay in the party was the main highlight of the party's Central Standing Committee meeting yesterday.
At a press conference after the meeting, committee members including Chang Chun-hung (張俊宏), Tsai Tung-jung (
Committee member Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁) suggested party members consider reaching a consensus over the DPP's role now that it holds the reins of power and use that consensus to persuade Lin to stay.
"If we do not clarify the party's responsibilities, how can we clarify the party chairman's responsibilities?" Wu said.
Lin, however, had no comment on the opinions of his colleagues but said "thank you" with a smile, to participants of the meeting.
Although Lin has not clearly expressed his intention, most party members believe that Lin will leave.
Because of this, the committee finalized the chairmanship election schedule by postponing the registration date for candidates until May 29. DPP members will directly elect a chairman on June 25.
Lee said the delay was made at Tsai's request as a committee member. He insisted that there would be more time for possible candidates to coordinate with each other in the event that Lin was not in the running.
Possible candidates are believed to be legislators Hung Chi-chang (
President Chen Shui-bian (
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