TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) leaders said on Monday (Nov. 18) that Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) will remain on leave and that the party is united behind him.
TPP Central Committee Member Lin Fu-nan (林富男) said that the 14-person body unanimously decided to extend Ko’s leave until Feb. 28, 2025, per CNA. Three party members have assumed Ko’s duties while he is detained, but he emphasized that Ko still leads the TPP.
“The TPP does not have an acting chairperson,” Lin said.
Ko has been detained since September, and on Nov. 1 a court extended his imprisonment for another two months. He is awaiting the results of an investigation into corruption allegations relating to his time as Taipei’s mayor and as a presidential candidate.
Lin said Ko’s leave could be extended further if needed and that the party’s charter does not set an upper time limit for leave. He said the party would become more united the longer Ko was detained.
Asked if Ko was required by the party to take leave, Lin said that since Ko is detained incommunicado, there is no way to get his opinion on the matter. He said the Central Committee is the TPP’s highest authority and its decisions will be conveyed to Ko by a lawyer.
TPP Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), who some have speculated may replace Ko as chairperson, said the whole party was united and is conducting business as usual. He also repeated the TPP’s claim that Ko is being persecuted by the government of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and called for his release as soon as possible.
