Rival parties need to compete fiercely over ‘new politics'
Political parties exist to seize power, and therefore, they can merge or break up, depending on circumstances. Of course, this can be subject to criticism if it is done purely for partisan interests, ignoring the will of the public, but such accusations should be restrained.
The ruling Saenuri Party has been pouring out a torrent of verbal attacks on the proposed merger of the main opposition Democratic Party and independent lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo. The Saenuri Party's strong condemnation of the sudden decision is understandable, given its position of uncertainty in the changing political landscape ― from fighting a relatively easy three-way battle in the June 4 local elections to a tough post-merger two-party competition. Yet its reactions appear to be going too far.
On Tuesday, Choi Kyoung-hwan, floor leader of the governing party, accused Ahn of having dumped his promises like an old shoe, commenting, "It's doubtful if he feels even sorry for the people who longed for a new politics.'' He apparently took issue with Ahn's abrupt turnabout toward a merger with the largest opposition party after having sought to create a new party for months, negative about the opposition alliance.
But the ruling party never deserves to criticize Ahn for failing to deliver on his promises. It's none other than the Saenuri Party that touched off the latest opposition merger by reneging on its presidential election pledge of abolishing top-down party nominations for candidates running for municipal posts.
It's disputable if the abolition of the nomination system is necessarily right, but the governing party can't avoid criticism for being irresponsible in that matter.
The forthcoming local elections carry great significance for the ruling camp, given its nature of a mid-term appraisal for the Park Geun-hye administration. Its election defeat will certainly cause President Park to be a lame duck too soon, dealing a blow to the smooth operation of state affairs.
The opposition camp is expected to stake its fortune on political reform in the local polls, riding on the wave of "new politics'' championed by Ahn, the businessman-turned-lawmaker. Against this backdrop, the electorate will turn its back on the governing party unless it puts forth genuine reform measures and carry them out.
Before the presidential election in late 2012, President Park and her ruling party vowed to introduce a reform package, including measures to renounce privileges of parliamentarians such as immunity from arrest, but few of them have been carried out. So to win the hearts and minds of voters, the Saenuri Party ought to make good on its political reform promises even now.
What people really want to see is for the rival parties to go head-to-head in the lead up to the local elections over how to meet people's call for political reform. This could be achieved sooner if the governing party takes the leading role in introducing innovative measures to our political circle. Saenuri members should repent of themselves before criticizing others.
Political parties exist to seize power, and therefore, they can merge or break up, depending on circumstances. Of course, this can be subject to criticism if it is done purely for partisan interests, ignoring the will of the public, but such accusations should be restrained.
The ruling Saenuri Party has been pouring out a torrent of verbal attacks on the proposed merger of the main opposition Democratic Party and independent lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo. The Saenuri Party's strong condemnation of the sudden decision is understandable, given its position of uncertainty in the changing political landscape ― from fighting a relatively easy three-way battle in the June 4 local elections to a tough post-merger two-party competition. Yet its reactions appear to be going too far.
On Tuesday, Choi Kyoung-hwan, floor leader of the governing party, accused Ahn of having dumped his promises like an old shoe, commenting, "It's doubtful if he feels even sorry for the people who longed for a new politics.'' He apparently took issue with Ahn's abrupt turnabout toward a merger with the largest opposition party after having sought to create a new party for months, negative about the opposition alliance.
But the ruling party never deserves to criticize Ahn for failing to deliver on his promises. It's none other than the Saenuri Party that touched off the latest opposition merger by reneging on its presidential election pledge of abolishing top-down party nominations for candidates running for municipal posts.
It's disputable if the abolition of the nomination system is necessarily right, but the governing party can't avoid criticism for being irresponsible in that matter.
The forthcoming local elections carry great significance for the ruling camp, given its nature of a mid-term appraisal for the Park Geun-hye administration. Its election defeat will certainly cause President Park to be a lame duck too soon, dealing a blow to the smooth operation of state affairs.
The opposition camp is expected to stake its fortune on political reform in the local polls, riding on the wave of "new politics'' championed by Ahn, the businessman-turned-lawmaker. Against this backdrop, the electorate will turn its back on the governing party unless it puts forth genuine reform measures and carry them out.
Before the presidential election in late 2012, President Park and her ruling party vowed to introduce a reform package, including measures to renounce privileges of parliamentarians such as immunity from arrest, but few of them have been carried out. So to win the hearts and minds of voters, the Saenuri Party ought to make good on its political reform promises even now.
What people really want to see is for the rival parties to go head-to-head in the lead up to the local elections over how to meet people's call for political reform. This could be achieved sooner if the governing party takes the leading role in introducing innovative measures to our political circle. Saenuri members should repent of themselves before criticizing others.
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