Minor Parties Wanting to Become the Core of the Third Zone... Various Scenarios for Alliance

[Asia Economy Reporters Kang Nahum and Won Dara] Behind-the-scenes efforts for an election alliance among third-zone parties such as the Bareunmirae Party and the Party for Democracy and Peace are in full swing.

Hong Seongmun, spokesperson for the Party for Democracy and Peace, said on the day, "Last week, Representative Jeong Dongyoung and Representative Sohn had dinner together. It is difficult to speak specifically about the content of the conversation." It is reported that the discussion included alliances in preparation for the general election.

Regarding this, Jeong Dongyoung, leader of the Party for Democracy and Peace, avoided a direct answer, saying, "We decided to hold discussions with Representative Sohn about the achievements of electoral system reform."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

These movements by party leaders appear to be part of the third-zone integration efforts. This comes from the analysis that it is difficult to survive the upcoming general election through the 'each for themselves' approach of small parties. If integration is achieved, it could become the main axis of third-zone unification and also secure a favorable position in the distribution of constituencies in future general election alliances among the entire progressive camp.

However, in the case of the Bareunmirae Party, there are forecasts that it will be difficult to realize Representative Sohn's plans as they are, due to former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo's return to the political frontline, which has rapidly narrowed Sohn's position within the party, and the fact that Ahn Cheolsoo's faction still holds the majority within the Bareunmirae Party.

The scenario of third-zone integration and alliance was also raised in the Alternative New Party. Park Jiwon, a lawmaker of the Alternative New Party, also advocated for progressive forces' alliance on his Facebook the day before, stating, "The integration, alliance, and competition of progressive forces is the path to President Moon Jaein's success and the right way to recreate a progressive government."

Park emphasized, "With the spirit of 4+1, the integration of small progressive parties should approach the general election with competition against the Democratic Party and the Justice Party in Honam, and alliance in non-Honam areas to win," adding, "If the Future Korea Party is founded as a sister party, and if the Democratic Party cannot found a sister party citing only promises to the public, the introduction of the semi-proportional representation system will be a futile effort, making the Future Korea Party the sole winner."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although election alliance scenarios based on each party's calculations for the general election are continuously being produced, it is expected that the final outcome of the progressive camp's election alliance will depend on the will of the Democratic Party of Korea, which holds the largest share.

However, from the Democratic Party's standpoint, having effectively given up the majority of proportional seats due to the passage of the electoral law amendment, it is not easy to concede constituencies to small parties through election alliances.

In fact, Lee Haechan, leader of the Democratic Party, drew a line on progressive party alliances in the upcoming general election during a New Year's press conference on the 16th. He said, "Unlike in the past, artificial, political-engineering alliances do not work well for the ruling party," adding, "The proper way is for each party to do its best to gain support from voters, and since all parties are trying to field candidates nationwide, such artificial alliances are not desirable."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.