Alternative and Future: "Early Election of Floor Leader Not Acceptable... Election Should Be Fought with Additive Politics"

The 'Alternative and Future' group, a gathering of reformist and non-mainstream members within the People Power Party, stated on April 28 that, although there have been discussions within the party about Floor Leader Song Eon-seok stepping down before the local elections and forming a new floor leadership, "early resignation and election of the floor leader are not desirable."

Lee Seongkwon, a member of the People Power Party, told reporters after the 'Alternative and Future' breakfast meeting that day, "The Democratic Party's two top leaders-the party leader and the floor leader-will be leading the local elections across the country. If a floor leader election were to take place, it would not be helpful to the local elections," expressing this stance.

Within the People Power Party, there have been discussions about Floor Leader Song resigning early to match the Democratic Party's floor leader election schedule. The rationale is that, as the 22nd National Assembly enters full discussions on the composition for the second half, "new wine should go into new wineskins." However, there are also opinions within the party that since the next floor leader could significantly impact the composition of the leadership system after the local elections, resignation at this point is not appropriate. Lawmakers Kim Doo-eup, Jeong Jeom-sik, and Sung Il-jong are being mentioned as potential candidates.

Regarding this, Assemblyman Lee stated, "If we are to elect a new floor leader now, we would need an election announcement, candidate applications, and election campaigning, which happens to coincide with the period when the local elections will be in full swing." He added, "In the case of the Democratic Party, it is not even a contested election. Their party constitution and regulations stipulate that the floor leadership term ends in early May, so the current floor leader is expected to complete the term and be nominated as the sole candidate. For us as well, the term should be respected as is."

During the breakfast meeting, opinions were also shared regarding the election situations in each region. Assemblyman Lee said, "There was a discussion that all standards should be aligned with election victory," and added, "With this election, there was an expression that the conservative camp-leadership and party members alike-should pool their wisdom toward additive politics and finding ways to create synergy among themselves." This statement is seen as taking into consideration Han Donghoon, former leader, who is running as an independent in the by-election for Busan Buk-gu Gap National Assembly seat.

Meanwhile, 'Alternative and Future' held this breakfast meeting about two months after a meeting with leader Jang Donghyeok in March. Around ten lawmakers attended the meeting. When asked whether the future of leader Jang was discussed at the meeting, Assemblyman Lee said, "We decided not to discuss the current leadership, so I will not comment," and added, "I will leave it to your imagination."

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