DEFENDING TAIWAN: DPP supporters are concerned that losing the presidency and a number of legislative seats would put the nation’s sovereignty at risk, William Lai said
Taipei Times
Date: Mar 19, 2019
By: Yang Chun-hui and Sherry Hsiao / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Former premier William Lai (賴清德) yesterday registered to run in the Democratic
Former premier William Lai, center, waves during a news conference yesterday at the Democratic Progressive Party’s headquarters in Taipei after announcing his registration to run in the party’s presidential primary. Photo: Huang Yao-cheng, Taipei Times
Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential primary, saying that he could shoulder the responsibility of leading Taiwan in defending itself.
Lai, who stepped down as premier in January following the party’s losses in the nine-in-one elections on Nov. 24 last year, said that calls from grassroots DPP supporters led him to contend for the party’s nomination.
The DPP would find itself in an even more precarious position in next year’s presidential election than in the 2008 race, particularly after the party’s heavy losses in the local elections, Lai said.
DPP supporters are concerned that losing the presidency and a number of legislative seats would put the nation’s sovereignty and democracy at risk, he said. [FULL STORY]
