The small but critical legislative voting bloc from the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) has decided not to align with either of the major parties, all but ensuring that the KMT’s candidate will become the next legislative speaker.
Neither of Taiwan’s two largest parties were able to win legislative majorities in the most recent elections, with the Kuomintang (KMT) winning 52 seats, and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) winning 51. With 57 seats needed for a majority, both parties will depend on the TPP’s eight legislators to pass bills and elect a legislative speaker and deputy speaker. The new legislature begins its session on February 1, starting with a speaker election.
There had been speculation that the TPP would work with the KMT to nominate KMT’s Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) for the role. On Wednesday however, the TPP announced that it would instead vote for its own candidate, legislator Huang Shan-shan (黃珊珊), for speaker. They said that if no candidate wins in the first round of voting, they would abstain from a second round. Their abstention all but ensures a Han win in the second round.
Head of the KMT legislative caucus Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) on Wednesday said he was happy to see Huang as the TPP’s candidate, and wished the TPP the best of luck. He says such a move serves the eight million people who oppose the ruling DPP, and allows the parties to serve as a loyal opposition.
Head of the DPP legislative caucus Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) says the TPP’s decision is the same as supporting Han Kuo-yu as speaker. He says it is clear that the TPP and KMT are now cooperating, and that they will sink or swim together.