Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) tendered his resignation yesterday following a poor showing in Saturday’s recall votes, he said today.
The civic groups that led the campaigns failed to recall any of the 24 Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators up for a vote, but the DPP remains the ruling party and cannot shirk responsibility or find excuses, Lin said on Facebook.
The disappointing result has sparked discussions and reflections within the DPP, as the KMT and Taiwan People’s Party retain their legislative majority.
Photo: Taipei Times
As the party’s secretary-general, Lin said that if there have been any shortcomings by the DPP, he would take full responsibility.
Throughout the recall campaign, Lin said he met many volunteers from civic groups who he greatly admired.
He added that he was deeply moved by their selfless spirit, fearless courage and commitment to Taiwan.
The DPP does not need to find excuses, but find a way forward, he added.
As a small, mountainous nation facing many challenges, Taiwan needs us to come together and continue to protect it, he said.
President William Lai (賴清德) has yet to formally accept Lin’s resignation.
Another seven KMT legislators from Taichung, Nantou County, New Taipei City and Hsinchu still face recall in a second vote to be held on Aug. 23.
The DPP must shoulder even greater responsibility and be more proactive in the next recall election, providing support to the seven districts still to vote, DPP caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) said today.
Wu today called DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) and Legislator Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜), and has reached out to DPP legislators Lo Mei-ling (羅美玲), Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純) and Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧), she said.
Following the recall result, the DPP would listen to all public opinions and feedback, Wu said, adding that criticism is to be expected, but the party would withstand it.
The party would not leave any recall groups or citizens to face the next election alone, and would put their all into the Aug. 23 vote, she said.
The latest vote encompassed about 24 electoral districts in a wide geographical area, made more difficult as most are KMT strongholds, Wu said.
In the smaller upcoming vote, the 51 DPP legislators can focus their energy and resources on the seven districts, Wu said, adding that she hopes party headquarters would enact more strategic planning.
Additional reporting by CNA
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