End of Taiwan’s third force? Can ex-Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je’s party survive his corruption probe?

This picture taken and released by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) on September 5, 2024 shows ex-Taipei mayor and former presidential candidate Ko Wen-je being led to a police car to be taken to a detention centre in Taipei. Ko was detained on September 5 for alleged corruption after a Taiwanese court reversed a decision to release him, citing the risk of him destroying evidence and colluding with witnesses. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / China OUT - Taiwan OUT - Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je being led to a police car to be taken to a detention centre in Taipei on Sept 5.

PHOTO: AFP

Yip Wai Yee

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TAIPEI – 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).

End of Taiwan’s third force? Can ex-Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je’s party survive his corruption probe?

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