The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chose the color “white” to represent it, to signal that the party’s stance is neither pro-blue nor pro-green. Yet, under the leadership of TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), the party completely obeys the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), blindly following its pro-China, anti-Taiwan endeavors.
The NT$10,000 universal cash handout scheme is a prime example. Former TPP chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) emphasized financial discipline and once criticized such handouts as being “unreasonable.” Today, Huang and the rest of the party are completely disregarding Ko’s assertion and fully cooperating with the KMT on the plan.
Even Ko’s former avid supporters are defending the policy online with comments such as: “What’s so bad about getting NT$10,000?” How does Ko feel about this?
After the New Party and the People First Party began taking a “little blue” stance, they quickly fizzled out and were mostly absorbed by the KMT. During last year’s presidential race, Ko briefly agreed to form a “blue-white” alliance with the KMT, but immediately realized it would be a grave mistake. Under such a coalition, the TPP would cease to exist.
Ko walked out of the agreement. Although his decision drew criticism at the time, it ultimately preserved the TPP’s party-list votes and helped it secure eight at-large legislative seats. However, now that the TPP is blindly following the KMT, it is on the verge of self-destructing.
The TPP could reap significant political rewards amid the mass recalls. Come the by-elections, the TPP would have three major advantages.
The TPP is strapped for cash, and its district candidates have consistently been wiped out in formal elections. However, by-elections are different — they last one short month and do not require much funding.
The KMT could not possibly announce or promote any candidates for the by-elections before the recall votes are counted, as doing so would undermine its own position. That could give the TPP a head start.
Additionally, recalled legislators cannot run again in the same district for at least four years, but a member of a different KMT faction could replaced them. In that situation, the recalled KMT legislator might prefer to support a TPP underdog instead.
A leader with vision should rally TPP supporters to fully back the mass recall movement and seize the party’s opportunity to compete in by-elections and potentially take over 31 legislative seats held by the KMT. If successful, the TPP could become Taiwan’s second-largest party, drastically altering its political standing.
Even if the party’s luck or abilities fall short, winning just one or two of those 31 legislative seats would give it more legitimate representation — a major step forward from having no district legislators.
Despite that possibility, Huang has again chosen to disregard his own party’s development to fully serve the interests of the KMT, joining it in opposing the recall.
The TPP often complains about being labeled as “red,” but who can it blame if it refuses to clearly distinguish itself from the pro-China KMT? The best way for the TPP to dispel doubts is to support the recalls and forge its own path.
Huang alone does not call the shots. All TPP supporters can take action for the sake of the party’s future. Casting every vote for the recall is the only way to prove the true power of “white” — neither “blue” nor “red.” The message must be spread until it reaches the ear of every TPP voter.
Tommy Lin is president of the Formosa Republican Association and the Taiwan United Nations Alliance.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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