TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former TPP Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) claimed Sunday that the KMT’s success in defeating a series of recall efforts against its legislators was due to his own detention.

Speaking at a TPP press conference, Ko argued that had the KMT failed to fend off the recall campaigns in 2025, he might still be in detention, per UDN. He said many voters backed KMT legislators in order to “save him,” warning the party not to overestimate the depth of its popular support.

Ko also criticized Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) recently announced free school lunch policy, calling it an example of populist politics, per FTV. He said universal free lunches violate the redistributive principles of social welfare and accused Chiang of “scamming votes” through the policy.

Reaction within the KMT was mixed. Vice Chair Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) acknowledged Ko’s assessment, suggesting that some KMT lawmakers might not have survived their recall votes without assistance from the TPP camp, per Tai Sounds.

KMT Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) said Ko’s detention was a factor but emphasized that the decisive change was the opposition forming a united front against the DPP, per UDN. KMT lawmaker Hsieh Lung-chieh (謝龍介) echoed that view, saying opposition supporters want the coalition to hold together.

Others urged restraint. KMT Taipei City Councilor Yang Chih-tou (楊植斗) called on Ko to moderate his rhetoric, arguing that policy disagreements between the parties do not justify sarcastic attacks on Chiang and could alienate KMT supporters from the opposition alliance, per Liberty Times.

Taipei Deputy Spokesperson Wei Wen-hsuan (魏汶萱) responded to Ko’s criticism by saying the city’s priority is reducing the burden on families and ensuring children receive adequate nutrition, per Liberty Times. She expressed gratitude for support of the free school lunch policy, noting that Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an (高虹安) and TPP Chiayi mayoral candidate Chang Chi-kai (張啓楷) later adopted or proposed similar policies.