People Power Party Considers Narrowing Presidential Candidates from 4 to 2 through Two Preliminary Primaries

The People Power Party is considering a plan to narrow down the presidential primary candidates in two preliminary cutoffs, first reducing to 4 candidates, then to 2 candidates.

Hwang Woo-yeo, the election management committee chairman for the People Power Party's presidential primary, is speaking at the People Power Party election management committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News

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The party's presidential primary election management committee announced on the 9th that they discussed this primary plan at a meeting.

For the first cutoff, a "100% general public opinion poll" method was proposed, and for the second cutoff, a "50% party member vote and 50% general public opinion poll" method was suggested. However, regarding the plan to narrow down the candidates to 4 through the first cutoff, there were mixed reactions: positive evaluations that "interest in the top 4 will increase" and concerns that "the primary atmosphere may be dampened from the beginning."

If the first cutoff is conducted with "100% general public opinion poll," whether to apply a reverse selection clause limiting poll participants to party supporters and independents is expected to become a contentious issue. Regarding this, both opinions have been raised: "maximizing excitement" and concerns about "possible backlash from specific candidates or supporter groups."

The primary method will be decided at the emergency committee meeting the following day.

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