The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Central Committee today announced a new round of senior leadership appointments ahead of November’s local elections, with party founder and former chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) to serve as dean of the party’s Institute of National Governance.
Current TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) is to concurrently serve as head of the party’s Policy Committee, with incoming legislator Hsu Chung-hsin (許忠信) to serve as his deputy head.
The Policy Committee acts as a bridge between the Legislative Yuan and party headquarters, playing a critical role in legislative review and major policy formulation, Huang said.
Photo: Taipei Times
He said he would rely on Hsu’s legal expertise to strengthen the party’s policy formulation and core messaging.
Ko’s appointment in particular carries symbolic significance, Huang said, adding that the party would launch national governance training programs and candidate training courses at the institute to strengthen internal talent and attract more like-minded people.
Ko is often quoted as saying: “The wisdom of the public over the wisdom of an individual,” which reflects the founding philosophy of the institute when it was established in 2020, he said.
Ko currently faces a potential prison sentence of 28-and-a-half years for allegedly accepting bribes of NT$17.1 million (US$543,789) in a property development deal and embezzling political donations during his presidential campaign in 2024.
Looking toward this year’s local elections, the TPP would maintain a rapid and precise campaign that avoids smear tactics, Huang said.
It would enhance communication with voters and expand international exchanges and dialogue, while maintaining institutionalization and professionalization, he added.
The party also announced new appointments in the organizational, administrative and communications divisions that aim to strengthen internal party operations, voter outreach and international exchanges, while boosting the party’s online and grassroots campaigning.
Keelung Deputy Mayor Chiu Pei-lin (邱佩琳) is to be appointed as a Central Committee member, while acting deputy secretaries-general Hsieh Po-hung (謝泊泓) and Huang Cheng-run (黃成峻) would serve as deputy secretaries-general for the Administrative Division and Organizational Division respectively, the party said.
Additional reporting by CNA
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