Taipei, June 11 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian began meeting with legislators from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Monday to exchange views on pressing domestic problems.
During the meeting with 14 DPP legislators, Chen stressed the importance of forming a coalition government after December's legislative elections.
Admitting that it will be nearly impossible for the DPP to gain half of the legislative seats in the forthcoming elections, Chen expressed hope nevertheless that the DPP will become the largest party. The party at present controls just one-third of the seats in the legislature.
In order to establish a stable majority in the Legislative Yuan, the president pointed out the need to recruit the support of opposition legislators who share the political ideals of the DPP.
However, he went on, legislators connected with "black gold" will not be targeted by the DPP for recruitment into a coalition government.
Regarding the "economic development advisory conference" he proposed last month, Chen noted that the most urgent problem facing Taiwan today is the economy.
He said that as the present economic issue is not simply an economic problem, but a problem of confidence and even a problem of politics, he hopes to set up the committee "to restore the people's confidence and to stabilize the political situation."
According to the president, the proposed committee will be a mechanism designed for consultation, will not become a permanent organ and will not infringe on the present constitutional system.