DPP postpones presidential primary until after May 22

Taipei, May 1 (CNA) The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) decided Wednesday to postpone its presidential primary until after May 22, saying it needed more time to organize the process and confer with the two main contenders.

The mediation between President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and her challenger former Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德), being carried out by a five-member panel, will continue, DPP Secretary-General Lo Wen-jia (羅文嘉) said.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the DPP Central Standing Committee, Lo said the party is also still working to finalize the procedure for its presidential primary.

Issues such as the candidates' presentation of their political platforms and the process of collecting polling information in the primary will have to be decided before a Central Executive Committee on May 22, he said.

The DPP had planned to hold its primary in mid-April to select its candidate for the January 2020 presidential election, but its Central Standing Committee decided to postpone it until after its legislative primaries end on May 22.