The results of Taipei City's legislator by-election are in. "Ko Army" member Chen Su-yu lost after failing to get even 10,000 votes. This is seen as a devastating defeat for the Ko Army. Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je talked about this in a recent interview, saying the election seemed to be a close one in pre-election polls. However, he also admitted that the lack of support from a political party makes it hard to mobilize people in locals. When asked if this will affect his plans to form a political party in the future, Ko did not comment.


Chen Su-yu, the candidate representing the so-called "Ko Army" in Taipei's Shilin District legislative by-election, was defeated soundly in the Ko Army's first battle. Many say this may stall Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je's plans to start his own political party. In an interview on the 28th, Ko admitted it is difficult to win elections without the backing of a political party.

(Does the loss change your thoughts on starting your own party?) Does it? I don't know. (You are lacking in the land warfare area.) Put it this way. You can't prepare for this kind of organizational war in a day or two, or even a year or two. It's not that easy. (Without the support of a political party, is it hard to mobilize the grassroots?) Very difficult.

Ko did not answer questions on how the defeat affects his willingness to start his own party. Asked how the election results affect a potential presidential run for Ko, Democratic Progressive Party Taipei City Councilor Liang Wen-chieh said it probably won't have much of an effect on Ko or his support base.

I don't think the election (results) can be interpreted as a setback for Ko Wen-je. I also don't think he won't run for president because of this. The voter turnout rate for the presidential election may be 75 percent or 80 percent. There is a lot of room here for changes that don't hinge on organizational issues. This is where Ko Wen-je's hopes for a win lie.

In the past, the DPP insisted on fielding its own candidate for Taipei City mayor. I think (Ko) is bent on revenge. Of course, this failure will not, I don't think, change Ko Wen-je's political aspirations. I think he is already gearing up for a presidential run.

Both pan-blue and pan-green city councilors believe Ko's sights are set on the presidency, but he faces an uphill battle as an independent candidate.