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Taiwan People's Party Drops Incumbent Hualien Legislator, Citing Ideological Differences

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) announced it will not nominate incumbent legislator Fu Kuo-yuan for Hualien mayor, instead selecting spokesperson Tai Yu-wen.
  • Tai cited ideological differences and Fu's lack of support during former chairman Ko Wen-je's legal troubles as reasons for the decision.
  • Fu expressed disappointment but stated his commitment to serving Hualien residents, emphasizing public trust over party nominations.

The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has decided not to nominate its sole Hualien legislator, Fu Kuo-yuan, for the Hualien mayoral race. The party instead chose spokesperson Tai Yu-wen, citing ideological compatibility as the primary reason.

If our values don't align, why force ourselves to be together?

— Tai Yu-wenExplaining the decision not to nominate Fu Kuo-yuan.

Tai explained that during a difficult period when former party chairman Ko Wen-je faced legal challenges and rallied public support, Fu was notably absent. This perceived lack of solidarity, coupled with broader ideological differences, led the TPP to select Tai, who is seen as more aligned with the party's core values. Tai expressed hope that this change would help expand the party's grassroots support in Hualien and advance a new political direction.

Service is not about getting nominated; it won't stop because I'm not nominated.

— Fu Kuo-yuanResponding to the party's decision on Facebook.

Fu, who has served the Hualien community for nearly two decades, responded with a statement on Facebook expressing his disappointment. He acknowledged the party's strategic decisions but emphasized that his service is driven by the trust of Hualien residents, not by party nominations. "Service doesn't start the day I get nominated; it won't stop because I'm not nominated," he wrote. He questioned whether political figures should prioritize party endorsements over public votes, suggesting that such a narrow view diminishes the value of political service.

Is a politician's life about pursuing a party nomination or the people's vote?

— Fu Kuo-yuanQuestioning the party's criteria for selection.

Fu's supporters voiced their discontent, with one party member threatening to leave the TPP. This member criticized the party's leadership for prioritizing narrow interests over the bigger picture and lamented that the TPP, without Ko Wen-je at the helm, no longer represents his ideals. The supporter also noted that the Hualien party chapter is unpopular.

Fu Kuo-yuan always gives his full support to constituents' requests, which made me gradually affirm my support for the TPP.

— Pan (Party Member)Criticizing the party's decision and leadership.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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