Wild at Heart Legal Defense Association founder Robin Winkler yesterday announced his bid to run in the legislative election next year.
Born in the US, Winkler, 60, has lived in Taiwan for more than 30 years and is now a naturalized Republic of China citizen.
Winkler said the problems he sees in the economic, social and natural environments motivated him to run, adding that he believes politics is one of the best ways to make a contribution to society.
Photo: Chen Yen-ting, Taipei Times
A long-time environmentalist, he said that his main objective would be to push for strict implementation of the Basic Environmental Act (環境基本法), thereby helping the nation to become a nuclear-free homeland.
Calling himself a “relatively fortunate person throughout his life,” he said he would also like to address a range of social issues, including distribution of wealth, gender equality and Aboriginal rights.
He said the Indigenous Peoples Basic Act (原住民基本法) has been overlooked for a long time, which has caused Aborigines to receive unfair treatment.
Furthermore, he hopes to push forward an “open government” policy, as Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) did when he introduced the i-Voting system, to encourage civic participation in the government’s policymaking.
Winkler, a member of the Green Party Taiwan, said his bid for a legislative seat is in part due to a plan to help the party secure a seat at the legislature and obtain party votes, which translate into subsidies by the Central Election Commission.
He expects to be nominated as the Green Party’s candidate to run in the Shihlin-Beitou (士林,北投) constituency in Taipei this month.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man