TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — TPP Legislative Caucus Leader Chen Chih-han (陳智菡) on Monday called on KMT Taoyuan City Councilor Ling Tao (凌濤) to apologize for what she described as false characterisations of former TPP Chair Ko Wen-je's (柯文哲) remarks on potential cooperation between the TPP and the DPP.
During an interview on Friday, Ko said that if President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) had chosen to cooperate with the TPP, Taiwan's political situation would not have become as chaotic, per TVBS. He said political proposals should be fully discussed by all parties involved.
Ko also accused the DPP of trying to eliminate the TPP to create a one-on-one contest with the KMT, arguing that opinion polls show the DPP enjoys greater odds in such a scenario. He said the TPP should focus on increasing its representation in local councils, warning that the party could face an uncertain future if it fails to expand its local presence.
Responding to the interview, Ling accused Ko of prioritizing the TPP's political interests over cooperation with the KMT, per UDN. He criticized Ko for failing to discuss how the opposition could cooperate at the local level, adding that Ko's proposal for a coalition government referred only to the central government.
Ling also criticized Ko for seeking cooperation with the KMT ahead of the 2024 presidential and legislative elections while later calling on Lai to form a coalition government, accusing Ko of lacking principles.
Chen first responded to Ling's remarks on Sunday, saying Ko had been referring to the contrast between being invited to the Presidential Office during former President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) administration and what Ko described as being jailed under Lai's administration, per UP Media. She said Ko's comments were about Lai's failure to take the initiative to overcome legislative deadlock.
On Monday, Chen renewed her criticism, calling on Ling to formally apologize to Ko for what she said were false claims, per Tai Sounds. She also speculated that because Ling belongs to former KMT Chair Eric Chu's (朱立倫) political camp, his criticism of Ko could be aimed at KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文).
DPP Legislative Caucus Secretary-General Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) also weighed in, suggesting Ko regretted cooperating with the KMT, per SETN. Chuang said the DPP would welcome cooperation with any opposition party if it benefited Taiwan.
Ko recently met with DPP lawmaker Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) at a public event, per UP Media. Asked about the possibility of TPP-DPP cooperation, Ker said he supported the idea. Ker, a longtime DPP legislative caucus convener, was removed from the position following the unsuccessful recall campaign against KMT lawmakers.
Although Ker initially resisted efforts by senior DPP leaders to replace him, he was ultimately succeeded by DPP Legislator Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌), a member of the New Tide faction.
