In Saturday’s local elections, the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) secured its place as the third force in Taiwanese politics.
However, in view of an alleged alliance between the TPP and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), mooted before the election — that pan-blue supporters would be encouraged to vote for TPP Legislator and Hsinchu mayoral candidate Ann Kao (高虹安) in exchange for the TPP boosting KMT Taipei mayoral candidate Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) — the result has shown Taipei Mayor and TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) to be the biggest loser.
As Ko reaches the end of his second term as mayor, the TPP is about to lose access to valuable administrative resources. As party chairman, Ko only has five legislators-at-large and 14 newly elected city councilors in his pocket.
As public prosecutors are investigating Hsinchu mayor-elect Kao regarding allegations of wage fraud and embezzlement during her term as legislator, one of those TPP representatives could be lost, and loyalty might be lost among other civic representatives if she is found guilty.
Furthermore, Kao seems to consider Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) her boss and superior, more so than Ko.
As she assumes office, Kao is to become a chief administrative officer in Hsinchu, and head of a local TPP faction with resources at her disposal.
It is therefore unlikely that she would take orders from a lame-duck chairman. Thus, Ko might want to think twice about using the Hsinchu government as a new stronghold for his political goals.
With Ko running out of political chips to cash in, the image and reputation that the TPP has built over the years have begun to crumble.
Gou has been rumored to be nurturing 2024 presidential ambitions, and if so, he would have Kao’s help in gaining control of the TPP in the Hsinchu stronghold in his quest for the party nomination.
To this end, Gou would need to oust Ko from a position of influence. Through TPP headquarters in Hsinchu, Gou could have the city government acting as his central headquarters, and providing him with access to TPP members and powerbrokers.
With this would come resources and prestige to rival Ko’s influence.
Gou would be able to appeal to party members and personnel to support him on notions of “for the greater good of the party,” or “support the right candidate for the sake of the party.”
TPP members and supporters might, without much pressure or persuasion, fall behind the Hon Hai founder.
The only catch would be the charges Kao might be facing, but whether she emerges unscathed is irrelevant.
Given the time it takes for charges to be laid and a judgement to be handed down, the 2024 presidential election might be over before the worst unfolds. This would provide Gou with ample time to shape the TPP’s power structure in his favor.
Despite Ko’s wishful thinking, he might be bowing out of the presidential race much sooner than he thinks.
Shih Chia-liang is an adjunct assistant professor at National Chengchi University’s Department of Public Administration.
Translated by Rita Wang
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