 A much more serious split in the party occurred as a result of the 2000 Presidential election.Upset at the choice of Lien Chan as the party's presidential nominee, former party Secretary-General James Soong launched an independent bid, which resulted in the expulsion of Soong and his supporters and the formation of the People First Party (PFP) on 31 March 2000.The KMT candidate placed third behind Soong in the elections.