The chairwoman of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Tsai Ing-wen, registered on Sunday to seek her party’s nomination for the presidential race in 2016.
Tsai, who ran for president in 2012, is likely to be the DPP’s presidential candidate again next year. Several other major DPP contenders, including Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te and former DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang, have made it clear they will not run, and have called on the party to support Tsai. The registration deadline for running in the DPP primary is Monday.
Tsai said she is hoping to create a transparent political system and a fresh beginning for Taiwan.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Tsai said she is determined to serve the people. She distanced herself from former DPP President Chen Shui-bian, and the current president, Ma Ying-jeou from the Kuomintang.
“I am Tsai Ing-wen," she said. "I don't intend to guide Taiwan into the DPP era, and certainly not into the Tsai era.”
Tsai said that an era defined by politicians and political parties was over, and that it was time to create an era of the people.
As for who she will choose as a running mate, Tsai said that it was still early and that she would make an announcement once the time was right.