Former politician Hsu Kuo-yung appointed as DPP's new secretary-general

A significant political shift is underway in Taiwan, as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has selected Hsu Kuo-yung as its next secretary-general. The news, reported by a staff writer with CNA, comes following the failure of a mass legislative recall campaign on July 26.

The campaign, launched by civic groups and backed by the DPP, aimed to remove both DPP and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators from office. However, the KMT successfully survived the vote, with all 24 KMT lawmakers on the recall ballot escaping the vote unscathed.

The initial target of the campaign was Lin Yu-chang, the former secretary-general of the DPP. His resignation occurred after the failure of the mass legislative recall campaign on July 26. Hsu Kuo-yung is set to replace Lin Yu-chang in the top position of the DPP.

The second round of recall votes is scheduled for Saturday, and President William Lai, who is also the chairman of the DPP, is expected to announce Hsu's appointment after the votes. The second round of voting will target another seven KMT legislators.

If successful, the recall votes could potentially shake up the political landscape of Taiwan. However, with the KMT, along with the opposition Taiwan People's Party, maintaining control of the legislature, it remains to be seen what impact the recall votes will have.

The DPP, under the leadership of President Lai, has been at the helm of Taiwan's government since 2023, with Lai assuming the presidency in 2024. The party's decision to select Hsu Kuo-yung as its secretary-general is a significant one and is likely to shape the party's direction in the coming months.

As the political landscape in Taiwan continues to evolve, the appointment of Hsu Kuo-yung as secretary-general of the DPP marks a new chapter in the party's history. The outcome of the second round of recall votes will provide further insight into the political climate in Taiwan.