The article discusses the position of the Innovation Party, led by Floor Leader Seo Wang-jin, on the formation of a “Coalition and Integration Promotion Preparation Committee” with the Democratic Party. After the failed merger talks between the two parties, the Innovation Party is urging the Democratic Party to clarify its stance on forming alliances. Seo criticized the Democratic Party’s ambiguous position, especially as local elections approach, stating that such unclear intentions are not characteristic of a responsible ruling party.
Seo emphasized that the spirit of unity should not be compromised due to internal confusion within the Democratic Party, and warned against repeating past betrayals of the reformist-progressive coalition and its supporters. He pointed to concerns from the Honam region about the conflicts and confusion arising during the merger discussions between the two parties and the need to avoid division in the future.
While Democratic Party representatives have maintained a vague position on the discussions, Seo announced plans to step up preparations for the local elections and proposed that alliances should aim for “local political innovation,” suggesting reforms such as introducing a runoff voting system for regional heads in Gwangju and Daegu and prohibiting no-vote elections for regional council members. He clarified that these are proposals, not preconditions for an alliance, and indicated that more specific proposals might be made as discussions progress.