TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The DPP may use an open ballot to decide its next legislative caucus whip, with incumbent Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) facing a challenge from former Deputy Legislative Speaker Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌).

DPP insiders said Tsai entered the race after interpreting Ker’s earlier statement that he would not seek re-election in 2028 as a signal he might also step aside as caucus whip, per TVBS. They said that if internal negotiations fail and the contest moves to an open vote, Ker may struggle to retain the position.

According to party sources, Tsai has support from former President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) faction, Democracy Living Water Connection (民主活水連線), as well as from members of President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) New Tide faction. They estimate Tsai could secure around 28 votes, enough to win the post.

Some insiders said a new caucus leader could help the party navigate a legislature that includes a new group of TPP lawmakers.

A source close to Tsai said he decided to run at the urging of Lai, who wants a change in caucus leadership, per UP Media. The source said Tsai, despite benefiting from his current role as chair of the Chinese Professional Baseball League as he eyes a future Taichung mayoral bid, could not easily decline Lai’s request.

Although Tsai and Lai belong to the same faction, a past rivalry has affected their relationship. Tsai publicly supported former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) during her 2019 primary contest against Lai. The source also noted that Lai later nominated Legislator Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純) as the DPP’s Taichung mayoral candidate despite Tsai polling more favorably.

The source cautioned that if Lai tries to force Ker out, there could be consequences for him. After the failed recall campaign against KMT lawmakers, Lai attempted to force Ker out but ultimately did not succeed.

A DPP caucus insider said that with the New Tide faction already influential within the party, selecting Tsai could further shift the internal balance of power. The insider added that holding a formal vote could deepen divisions.

A former senior DPP official said that even if Tsai defeats Ker, a stronger-than-expected showing by Ker could be politically awkward for Lai.

Separately, a former DPP higher-up urged the party to seize opportunities to cooperate with former TPP Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) rather than allow Lai’s personal dislike for Ker to foreclose potential alliances, per UP Media. The former higher-up cited proposals by TPP at-large Legislator Chen Chao-tzu (陳昭姿) to amend the Assisted Reproduction Act, and by TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) on defense spending as possible openings to weaken opposition coordination.

According to the same DPP source, Ko’s recent meeting with Ker was publicly framed as focused on Chen’s proposed amendment, but Ker also showed a willingness to discuss the 2026 budget and the special defense budget bill. The source said resistance within the DPP caucus closed the door on that opportunity.

Responding to reports that the TPP is allowing the special defense budget proposal to advance to committee review, Ker said the legislature should thoroughly examine the measure, per Storm Media. Asked whether this signaled a potential opening for cooperation between the DPP and TPP, Ker replied, “You can look at it from that point of view.”