Will Ahn bring merger of opposition parties?

Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the minor People's Party, speaks during a party meeting to evaluate the results of the April 15 general election on Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

By Do Je-hae

Ahn Cheol-soo, chief of the minor People's Party, said he is open to cooperation with any party to achieve his policy goals, underlining that he will not limit himself to just one side of the political spectrum.

However, his statement implied a possible solidarity ― if not merger ― with the main opposition United Future Party's (UFP) satellite Future Korea Party (FKP), because together with the FKP, his party can become a negotiating bloc with over 20 National Assembly seats. In addition, he proposed a joint forum among the opposition parties to study the causes of their general election defeats.

It remains to be seen whether his remarks and proposal will bring solidarity among opposition parties to hold in check the ruling bloc, which will take up 60 percent of the 300-member Assembly.

"In order to realize policy proposals from our party, we are willing to join hands with any party that agrees with us. That is how the National Assembly operates," Ahn said on a KBS radio program, Wednesday. "If the ruling party agrees to our proposal, it would be a normal way to join hands with the ruling party, and if the opposition agrees, with the opposition party."

He said the People's Party does not define itself as either liberal or conservative. "We have constantly held critical views about the government and the ruling party, regardless of whether they are progressive or conservative. Our aim from the beginning was to transform partisan politics and politics that do not respect the people. We still remain committed to achieving this," Ahn said.

The remarks come amid dark prospects for his party in the 21st Assembly. The People's Party managed to win only three seats in the April 15 general election, reflecting the lack of public trust in the party that is still being criticized for lacking its own identity and policies that speak to the people.

Although he said his party is neutral, speculations are rising that the People's Party could form a coalition with the FKP, which secured 19 Assembly seats. With 22 seats combined, the coalition could become a negotiating group ― a party must have at least 20 seats in order to function as a negotiating bloc.

Earlier this month, Ahn also proposed a joint forum among the opposition parties to review the election results. UFP Supreme Council member Lee Jun-seok said in an interview, Wednesday, "When largely dividing the political circles into two for ruling and opposition groups, the proposal is his first clarification that the People's Party is in the opposition. There is a large possibility for the FKP and the People's Party to go together."

Ahn, who was a doctor before entering business and politics, was praised for his volunteer work as a medical staffer in the COVID-19 hotspot of Daegu before the election. But his resurgence of popularity did not translate into increased public support for his party in the election.

"We were hoping to overcome the politics of ideology and establish practical centrist politics and push for reasonable reforms that can contribute to resolving problems in our society, but we fell short," Ahn said in a statement after the election. "We will be more sincere in getting in touch with the people's difficulties in their lives."

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