KMT and TPP to enter talks soonSOLE OPTION: As there is no time left for polling, a primary or both, the KMT and TPP have eyed party-to-party negotiations as the only way toward cooperationStaff writer, with CNAThe Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday announced that it would enter into “party-to-party negotiations” with the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) over possible collaboration for the Jan. 13 presidential and legislative elections, after deciding there is no longer enough time to hold polls or a primary to decide on a joint presidential candidate. This indicates that cooperation between Ko and Hou could be crucial if the DPP is to be defeated. Asked yesterday to comment on the standoff between the KMT and TPP, Hou said with the Nov. 24 deadline for presidential candidate registration looming, neither conducting polls, as proposed by the TPP, nor a primary, as the KMT has insisted on, could be completed in time. A KMT source, who asked not to be identified, said that the party has no preconditions for party-to-party negotiations and is open to discussing collaboration. The idea of holding “party-to-party negotiations” to discuss collaboration for the Jan. 13 elections and a governing coalition was first proposed by Ko during a meeting with KMT chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) earlier this month.
