TPP retains 2-year limit for at-large lawmakers

Taoyuan, Aug. 10 (CNA) The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has kept its "two-year clause" for at-large legislators after declining to change the rule at the party's annual congress in Taoyuan Sunday.

The two-year clause, introduced by party founder and former chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), requires at-large lawmakers to resign halfway through their four-year term. Their seats are then filled by the next candidates on the TPP's party list.

According to the TPP, the rule was designed to broaden political participation, give more party members legislative experience, and groom new political talent.

However, critics of the rule have argued that requiring eight at-large lawmakers to resign in January 2026 could weaken the TPP ahead of local elections -- especially as Ko is detained during a corruption investigation.

Sunday's decision came during the TPP's national congress, which also marked the TPP's sixth anniversary.

The TPP, founded in 2019 with around 100 members, now has about 30,000 registered members. The congress agenda included reports from the central headquarters and legislative caucus, as well as proposals on party regulations and nomination rules.

Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) told Sunday's meeting that he had reached an agreement with Ko to give the former Taipei mayor the final say on changing the two-year clause.

The congress then approved the decision to keep the clause for the time being by acclamation.

Because the meeting ran behind schedule, the proposal on the clause did not enter substantive discussion before the session ended. The congress formally resolved not to deliberate on whether to suspend or maintain the rule.

Huang stressed the party's focus is now on legislative work and expanding its grassroots presence, adding that the eight at-large lawmakers will be given important roles after stepping down.