"Taiwan Party": The Founding Anniversary of the DPP that Lost its Following

 "Taiwan Party": The Founding Anniversary of the DPP that Lost its Following

United Daily News Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

October 1, 2019

 Translation of an Excerpt

Last weekend the DPP celebrated the 33^rd anniversary of the party’s founding; besides convoking a National Party Congress, it held an activity on the street next to the Party Headquarters closing traffic, with the main axis of "Taiwan Party – Dancing with the Generations." Although the National Party Congress did on that day adopt the “Resolution on Win-Win Society, Marching with the Generations", stressing defending sovereignty, opposing one country, two systems, it nevertheless has not attracted much attention from outside circles. What is noteworthy is on that day, the DPP closed traffic for six hours and invited a number of bands for performance, but only attracted the attendance of a sprinkling crowd. Did the festive DPP "Taiwan Party" fatigue its supporters?

While Tsai Ing-wen was on cloud nine, complacent with her strong poll ratings, at the “Taiwan Party” activities marking the 33^rd anniversary of the founding of the DPP, the audience, nevertheless, appeared rather cold; this is a matter rather intriguing. The possible reasons are three: First, Green camp supporters felt that Tsai Ing-wen's electoral prospects were already very stable; they needn’t stand out especially to give her support. Secondly, Green camp supporters felt less enthusiastic about the DPP’s perennial tactics of shouting "defending sovereignty", thus having lost their passion. Thirdly, Tsai Ing-wen’s governance for over three years probably caused harm to long-term, diehard Green camp supporters’ livelihoods, while being unable to offer new outlets and hopes to younger generations. The two types of supporters both felt let down.

If it is the first situation, the reduction of the crowds does not mean the dissipation of popular support, and thus the DPP naturally did not worry. Tsai Ing-wen may continue to pick up guns and continue to spread money and supplies. If it is the second situation, then the DPP has to be careful whether the tactics of ideology have become worn-out, leading to elastic fatigue for supporters. If it is the third situation, then the Tsai government must self-reflect whether the "anti-China" strategy has been employed beyond the limit, inviting fire burning its own camp.

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