DPP parliamentary majority vital for Taiwan, says President Chen

[dArKeR]

TAIPEI, (AFP) - Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian says achieving a parliamentary majority with his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in December polls was a must in order to see through pledged reforms.

In a speech to the party congress, Chen, who secured his second four-year term in March presidential polls, said achieving a majority and completing reforms was vital to the island's development.

"Before that goal (constitutional reform) can be accomplished, gaining a majority in the parliament would be a must... The year-end election will be crucial to national development," he said.

Currently the DPP has 87 seats in the 225-seat parliament. Its alliance partner, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, has 12, while the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and People First Party jointly control 112 seats.

Non-partisans have 12 seats, while two seats are vacant.

"The Kuomintang (KMT) ruled Taiwan for more than 50 years. They had had every opportunity (to bring about reforms), and yet they did not do it. Unlike the KMT, the DPP engaged in the task despite our minority in parliament over the past four years," Chen said.

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