TAIPEI : Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), reeling after a crushing defeat in weekend parliamentary polls, on Monday tried to rebound by naming its presidential hopeful, Frank Hsieh, as acting chairman.
"I was afraid that day-to-day party affairs would conflict with campaign activities...but as I've been entrusted with the mission, I will do my best to do it," Hsieh told reporters after being named.
Hsieh, a former premier, took over from President Chen Shui-bian, who resigned immediately following the DPP's devastating loss in parliamentary elections, which saw the main opposition Kuomintang win a two-thirds majority.
The Kuomintang (KMT), which favours better relations with China, capitalised on voter discontent with the independence-leaning Chen, who will step down later this year at the end of his second and final term.
Hsieh is currently trailing the KMT's Ma Ying-jeou by a wide margin ahead of the March 22 presidential polls, according to opinion polls released Monday.
A poll by the China Times put support for Ma at 51.4 percent to just 19.9 percent for Hsieh.
A second poll by the United Daily News signalled an even wider gap - 60 percent support for Ma and 18 percent for Hsieh.
Hsieh will serve as acting DPP leader until a new chairman is formally elected in May. - AFP/ch