Source: Government Information Office
President Chen Shui-bian tonight expressed his views on the election results for county magistrates, city mayors, and members of the Legislative Yuan. He began by thanking everyone who made the first elections since the change of ruling parties run smoothly, including central and local government election staff; the police who maintained social order; and the prosecutors, investigators, and police who were responsible for handling vote-buying cases.
President Chen also conveyed his congratulations to all of the newly elected county magistrates, city mayors, and legislators. To those who were not elected, he praised their efforts and the democratic demeanor that they demonstrated throughout the course of the election.
President Chen indicated that the fervent participation and heated emotions of candidates and their supporters during the election were nothing extraordinary. Rather, these were all natural in the development of any democracy. It is exactly this type of faith and belief held by the people of Taiwan in their democratic values that enable them to be so enthusiastic when participating in Taiwan's democratization process. This is an inevitable path and process for consolidating Taiwan's democracy. At the same time, however, no matter what the results of the elections are, the end of heated emotions should mark the beginning of reason, and the end of the elections should denote the beginning of cooperation.
President Chen also stated that, although there was party and individual competition during the election, national stability, security, and prosperity are the common language and aspiration of Taiwan's 23 million people. Therefore, issues for discussion after the election, such as reforming the Legislative Yuan, revitalizing the economy, and improving cross-strait relations and social welfare, depend on the efforts of the governing and opposition parties to rationally and objectively combine their wisdom.