TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Green Party Taiwan on Sunday called for DPP caucus convener Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) to resign following the failed recall campaign targeting KMT legislators.
The Green Party argued that Ker’s framing of the recall as his personal initiative, a series of controversial public statements, and efforts to suppress dissent within the legislature significantly weakened the campaign, per Tai Sounds. Citing the resignation of multiple DPP officials, the GPT said Ker should also step down and relinquish his legislative seat.
According to the GPT, by labeling the recall as his own initiative, Ker allowed the KMT to paint the effort as a partisan political maneuver. This, the GPT argued, undermined public trust and credibility in what was intended to be a citizen-driven movement.
The GPT also criticized Ker for comments suggesting that allowing firefighters and police officers to unionize could give China an opening to invade Taiwan. The party said this statement dealt a serious blow to Taiwan’s labor rights movement.
In addition, Ker was faulted for invoking a law associated with abuse during the martial law era to threaten the opposition. The GPT said his combative leadership style and insistence that colleagues withdraw competing bills eroded public confidence in the DPP’s legislative caucus.
As a result, the GPT asserted that Ker should resign out of respect for those committed to labor rights, transitional justice, and the integrity of the recall process.
DPP insiders told UDN that the question of whether Ker remains in his position could mark the next significant turning point for the party. Sources noted that dissatisfaction with Ker is growing, even within President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) own faction, New Tide.
Meanwhile, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) appears secure in his role for now, with party factions indicating consensus on maintaining the current system. A legislator outside the New Tide faction told UDN that Lai’s distance from the Aug. 23 recall and his control over the nomination process for the 2026 local elections have helped keep factional competition in check.
DPP insiders also told ETtoday that Ker may retreat to his typical behind-the-scenes role. They noted he had been pushed to the forefront by opposition pressure, but returning to a more strategic position might allow him to foster greater cooperation with rival parties.
Taiwan Democracy Foundation Director Liao Da-chi (廖達琪) said Ker’s decision to stay on while other top DPP officials have resigned could be interpreted as mounting internal pressure for him to step down, per UDN. She added that Ker’s combative style in the legislature is only effective when his party holds a majority.
Meanwhile, Wang Hung-jen (王宏仁), director of the Institute for National Policy Research, observed that while Lai’s administration appears to be softening its tone, the DPP’s legislative caucus continues to embrace a confrontational approach.
