The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Central Evaluation Committee on Thursday expelled 50 party members, including former legislator Julian Kuo (郭正亮) and agricultural blogger Lin Yu-hung (林裕紘).
The committee said in a statement that the 50 expelled party members either contravened party rules by campaigning for other political parties during elections or were involved in #MeToo sex scandals. It added that although some had announced they were withdrawing from the DPP, the disciplinary committee still needed to officially revoke their memberships.
The unanimous decision by the committee to expel the members was made following discussions about their conduct in the 2022 local elections and this year’s presidential and legislative elections, the committee said.
Photo: Chien Jung-feng, Taipei Times
Kuo, one of the former high-profile DPP lawmakers to get the boot, is known for his harsh criticism of the party on various political TV shows. Kuo announced his withdrawal from the DPP in May last year, saying he had gradually moved away from the party.
Lin, another well-known party member, was kicked out after being accused of enlisting people to send him hoax death threats amid controversies related to a government-funded egg import program last year.
In addition, Hung Chih-kun (洪智坤), Tsai Mu-lin (蔡沐霖) and Chen Yu-hao (陳右豪) were expelled for their alleged involvement in sexual misconduct scandals.
Meanwhile, Chou Yu-hsiu (周榆修), a former aide to DPP lawmaker Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧) and the ex-deputy head of the party’s youth branch, who was nominated by the Taiwan People’s Party as one of its legislator-at-large candidates in this year’s elections, was also kicked out.
In addition to the 50 expelled party members, the disciplinary committee also decided to suspend the memberships of 37 party members for a year.
Committee chairman Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) said the country is facing a new set of challenges after the Jan. 13 presidential election, so the party has zero tolerance for those who contravenes party rules.
Lai urged party members to take note of the party platform and unite in the fight to safeguard Taiwan’s freedom, democracy, peace and prosperity.
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