Taiwan People’s Party Press Release
TPP Hosts First Forum on Coalition Government, to Be Held on the Eve of National Day
“The Nation Has Fallen into Division” – Chairman KC Huang Hopes Dialogue Can Launch Political Reform
TPP Announces First Wave of Electoral District Nominations: “Start with the easy, then move to the difficult” Prioritizing Incumbents
“One Island, One Fate” – TPP Continues to Support Hualien Flood Relief and Recovery

 

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) today (Oct. 1) convened its Central Committee meeting. At the subsequent press conference, Chairman KC Huang, Secretary-General Vincent Chou, and Policy Research and Strategy Department Executive Director Lai Hsiang-ling jointly addressed the media. In addition to once again expressing concern for the disaster and recovery efforts in Guangfu Township, Hualien County, the party also announced the first wave of constituency nominations for the 2026 local elections. These include four districts in Taipei City and three districts in Hsinchu City. Registration will open on October 2 and close at 6:00 p.m. on October 9. Chairman Huang emphasized that, as previously stated, the principle of “Start with the easy, then move to the difficult” will apply, with priority given to districts where TPP already has incumbent councilors.

 

The press conference also announced that on Thursday, October 9, the TPP will host a forum titled “Forum on Coalition Government and Taiwan’s Democratic Experiment”, inviting experts and scholars to explore the prospects of coalition government in Taiwan.

 

Forum Register｜台灣民眾黨「聯合政府與台灣民主的進階嘗試」論壇報名表

 

 

Chairman Huang noted that the “Coalition Government Research Working Group” has been steadily advancing this issue. Holding the first forum on October 9, the day before National Day, was deliberate: a day that should symbolize unity and a shared future has instead become a reminder of a government backed by only 40% of public support, leaving the country divided and mired in political strife. Huang stressed that while the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) fuels division and hatred, the TPP must provide a new path forward. Through this forum, Huang hopes that in-depth dialogue with experts will respond to Taiwan’s urgent needs with scientific, rational, and pragmatic values. He emphasized that this is both the TPP’s democratic responsibility and the mission of this generation.

 

Executive Director Lai Hsiang-ling said the first forum will focus on the theory of coalition governments, drawing on numerous international case studies to launch Taiwan’s own reform project for political unity. While constitutional reform may be difficult, Lai stressed the importance of institutional innovation and experimentation, with trial implementation expected during the 2026 local elections. She called on all citizens to join this effort.

 

Invited participants include former TPP legislator Chang Chi-lu; former Taipei Research, Development and Evaluation Commission Chair and National Taiwan Normal University Professor Chu Chao-hsiang; TPP Legislator Liu Shu-bin, who has specialized in the study of coalition governments such as Germany’s Angela Merkel cabinet; as well as retired Tunghai University Law Professor Lin Teng-yao; National Taipei University Professor of Public Administration and Political Science Liu Chia-wei; and Soochow University Political Science Professor Su Tzu-chiao. Huang added that in upcoming sessions, senior figures from the DPP will also be invited, as the TPP intends to fully participate in and listen to diverse perspectives.

 

When asked whether Kuomintang (KMT) members or chairmanship candidates will be invited to the forum, Huang explained that the first session will focus on the academic and legal community, while political leaders will be invited to later sessions, with details to be announced after arrangements are finalized. Asked whether the forum was designed as a “test” for KMT chairman candidates, Huang replied: “I neither dare nor intend to do so.” He stressed that the forum is directed at the ruling administration, which, despite facing unprecedented domestic and international challenges, continues to sow division and hatred. Huang urged President Lai Ching-te to reflect calmly before his upcoming National Day address.

 

Huang also shared a recent personal encounter while exercising in the morning, where he saw citizens wearing shirts with the slogan “I Am an Impurity, I Am Proud.” Reflecting on this, he lamented, “How did we get here, and who led us here?” He expressed hope that President Lai would give this serious thought. Huang reaffirmed that the TPP will patiently and diligently promote the coalition government concept step by step, with concrete implementation planned for the 2026 and 2028 elections. “This is not only a matter of discussion and debate, but a vital political practice,” Huang emphasized.

 

 

Following the TPP Election Committee’s second meeting yesterday (Sept. 30), the party announced the first wave of constituency nominations for the 2026 city and county council elections. Nominations include Taipei City’s Shilin-Beitou, Neihu-Nangang, Zhongshan-Datong, and Da’an-Wenshan districts (one nominee in each), and in Hsinchu City, two nominees in the East District and one in Xiangshan District. Registration will open on October 2 at 9:00 a.m. and close on October 9 at 6:00 p.m. Eligibility requirements will also be posted online. Huang stated that the TPP will continue to announce subsequent constituencies in phases according to the principle of “Start with the easy, then move to the difficult,”  and called on capable and aspiring individuals to join the effort.

 

 

The Central Committee also continued to monitor the disaster in Guangfu Township, Hualien. Huang reported that last Wednesday, Deputy Secretary-General Huang Cheng-chun was dispatched to lead a team, together with Legislator Lin Yi-chun’s office and members from the local party chapter, to mobilize volunteers and coordinate heavy equipment for disaster response. Huang also sought assistance from the Taiwan Construction Machine Association Network to provide equipment such as Skid-steer loader to accelerate debris clearance.

 

 

Secretary-General Vincent Chou noted that the TPP has established a relief station in Guangfu Township to distribute supplies, having already organized 11 deliveries of disaster relief materials. Citing remarks by former Chairman Ko Wen-je on transitional justice, Chou urged local and central governments to “first resolve the immediate crisis, then prevent future recurrences, and only afterward assign responsibility.” Even in the face of disaster, Chou said, we remain one nation, and must move forward in solidarity. Huang concluded by expressing gratitude to the many volunteers and supporters who have joined in the recovery effort.