Having enjoyed a record-high 4.7 million votes in the 1994 Taiwan Provincial Governor election, People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (
"I accept the [electoral] result with good cheer. I hereby announce that I am quitting Taiwan's political scene," said Soong.
Soong, who had taken leave from his PFP chairmanship to run as an independent candidate, made the remarks at a press conference at around 6pm before the counting was complete.
PHOTO: CNA
When Soong first declared his intention to run in the mayoral race two months ago, he had said that whether he won or lost, he would not be taking part in any more elections.
"I will accompany my wife Chen Wan-shui (
His supporters, however, were unwilling to see their leader go.
Watery-eyed PFP supporters gathered at Soong's campaign office while others chanted slogans, urging Soong to run in the 2008 presidential election.
PFP lawmakers appeared equally frustrated, with PFP caucus whip Cheng Chin-ling (
The pan-green camp offered their sympathy in response to Soong's announcement.
While calling on pan-green supporters to `"send warmth to Soong," Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kuan Bi-ling (
She said that the "save-dump" tactics employed by the pan-blue camp had resulted in Soong's poor electoral support.
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