Taiwan's opposition leader Tsai Ing Wen stepping down

29.02.2012

Taiwan's opposition leader Tsai Ing Wen is stepping down, following her Democratic Progressive Party's defeat in the presidential elections.

She will be succeeded by Kaohsiung city mayor Chen Chu as the interim chairwoman until a new leader is elected in May.

Channel NewsAsia finds out what future holds for the pro-independence party.

Liu Shih Chung, Research Fellow at the Taiwan Brain Trust, said: "The selection of Chen Chu is a transitional arrangement, single-handedly pushed forward by Tsai Ing Wen. She wants her approach, her so-called 'Tsai Ing Wen path' to be continued, especially with the generation change of leadership within the DPP."

Despite her defeat in the presidential race, Ms Tsai narrowed the DPP's losing margin to 6 percent.

Her moderate approach with China has won over more neutral voters for the pro-independence party.

And to keep that momentum, analysts say the DPP must refrain from going back to its old anti-China way.

"Whoever wins the DPP chairmanship, I think he or she will continue this path, engaging China, try to have dialogue with China."

So far, former Tainan county magistrate Su Huan-chih and former DPP legislator Chai Trong Rong have thrown their hats into the ring.

Other likely candidates are former premier Su Tseng Chang and Frank Hsieh.