Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Shih Ming-teh announced on Thursday that he will run in the 2016 presidential election. Shih will be running as an independent.
At a press conference, Shih said that Taiwan has six major problems that need to be resolved soon. These include conflicts between the two major parties, issues in cross-strait relations, problems with the constitutional system, wealth inequality and corruption in the government and the legislature.
Shih said that reconciliation among parties is the only way to save Taiwan.
"If I become president in 2016, my new government will cultivate elites from the Democratic Progressive Party and the Kuomintang, and select young people under 39 years old from other parties to take up one fourth of the government seats," said Shih. "We will form a coalition government that will include all ages from all parties. We will end one-party rule and the one-party presidential system. Let a real national president emerge in Taiwan," he said.
Shih said he does not have many supporters or financial backing. But Shih said that given Taiwan’s current situation, he felt like he needed to stand up and challenge other politicians.
Shih would have to receive 270,000 signatures in order to become an official presidential candidate.