Graft probe involving TPP leader could spell end of Taiwan's third force

Analysts say image of Taipei's ex-mayor and his party already hit by string of scandals

- Yip Wai Yee

A graft probe involving former Taiwanese presidential candidate Ko Wen-je, also the ex-mayor of Taipei, has sent shock waves across the island and raised questions about the fate of Taiwan's nascent third force.

Dr Ko, 64, is the founder of the upstart Taiwan People's Party (TPP), which is seen to represent a new force shaking up the island's entrenched political duopoly comprising the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT).

In the January 2024 presidential election, Dr Ko secured 26 per cent of the vote as a TPP candidate considered remarkable for a party formed only in 2019. The TPP also emerged as kingmaker in the simultaneous legislative elections where, with eight seats, it now holds the balance of power in the 113-seat legislature. The KMT won 52 legislative seats, while the DPP took 51; two went to independents.

But the long-term viability of this third force is now up in the air. Dr Ko was detained on Sept 5 as part of investigations into a scandal involving a property development that allegedly occurred during his tenure as Taipei mayor from 2014 to 2022.

"The TPP has always been a one-man party. If Ko is indeed found guilty, then that is the end of the party," said Associate Professor Chen Shih-min, a political scientist at National Taiwan University.

He added that infighting will soon begin over who will be best suited to be acting party chairman, but even the most likely candidate, TPP caucus whip Huang Kuo-chang, will be deemed "an outsider".

"The 'little grass' are followers of Ko, not really of the party," Prof Chen said, referring to the young voters who make up the bulk of the party's supporters.

Should the TPP fizzle out, the biggest beneficiary might well be the DPP, experts told The Straits Times.