Declaration of Merger Breakdown by Ahn Cheol-soo, Reshaping with Opposition Candidate Unification

After the November People Power Party Primary, Ahn Cheol-soo May Emerge as a Casting Vote
Likely to Seek Breakthrough Through Third Zone Open Platform

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The political sphere is interpreting Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party (photo), declaring the failure of the merger as a step toward ‘unifying opposition candidates’ after November. Although the People’s Party and the People Power Party have failed to merge immediately, there is a forecast that discussions on opposition reunification will inevitably arise before the presidential election. In particular, if no candidate can guarantee victory in next year’s presidential election, Ahn is expected to once again play the role of a ‘casting vote.’

Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said in a radio interview on the morning of the 17th that based on this analysis, "We should negotiate unification after our party’s candidate is selected." Jung Mi-kyung, also a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said on another radio broadcast, "The bigger the pie, the better," adding, "Having a big final event is not a bad thing."

Kim referred to the DJP coalition between Kim Dae-jung, leader of the Peace Democratic Party, and Kim Jong-pil, leader of the United Liberal Democrats, during the 15th presidential election, mentioning that Ahn’s position could grow stronger in the opposition candidate unification process after November.

Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People’s Party, expressed her intention to establish a ‘third zone open platform’ to promote unification even if Ahn does not join the People Power Party. This aims to free Ahn from the shackles of the party constitution, which prohibits those holding party positions from running for president, while also attracting candidates like former Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Kim Dong-yeon to the third zone candidate pool. Ahn Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People’s Party, predicted, "No matter how large the opposition party is, the center of gravity will shift according to approval ratings."

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