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.
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.
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