Taiwan People’s Party Expels Legislator Li Zhenxiu Following Allegations of ‘Pay-for-Resignation’ Demand
TAIPEI — The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) expelled legislator Li Zhenxiu from the party on April 13, 2026, a move that immediately stripped her of her seat in the Legislative Yuan. The decision, handed down by the party’s Central Evaluation Committee, follows a series of controversies that party leadership claimed severely damaged the organization’s public image.
The primary catalyst for the expulsion was an allegation that Li attempted to monetize her departure from office. According to TPP Central Evaluation Committee member Chen You-cheng, an investigation revealed that Li had attempted to turn her resignation into a financial transaction, reportedly requesting a specific sum of money as personal compensation in exchange for stepping down. Party officials described this as a severe violation of public office ethics.
The move underscores the party’s struggle to maintain internal discipline amid a string of public disputes. TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang stated in an interview on April 13, 2026, that at-large legislators must prioritize the expectations of their supporters and the promises made to voters over personal gain. When asked if Li had met these standards, Huang responded, “No.”
Li’s tenure was further strained by her public comments regarding other political figures. She recently conducted a live stream in which she claimed that Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an had received NT$7 million from TPP founding chairman Ko Wen-je. This prompted further scrutiny and contributed to the exposure of a whistleblower letter signed by Li accusing Kao and her boyfriend of conspiring to defraud assistant fees.
For her part, Li stated that she respects the committee’s decision but firmly denied the accusations of financial opportunism. She maintained that her position had remained consistent—that she “didn’t wish a penny” and “didn’t seek any position”—and claimed she could not accept “false accusations.”
Li’s political career had been a subject of significant attention since she was sworn in on February 3, 2026. Born in Hunan Province, China, and moving to Taiwan in 1993 due to marriage, she became the first legislator of mainland spouse origin to serve since the 1991 Act Governing Relations between the People of Taiwan Area and the People of Mainland Area. However, her appointment was clouded by a dual-nationality controversy, as critics questioned her compliance with the Nationality Act’s loyalty requirements for public officials.
Following the official announcement of her expulsion, the Central Election Commission has been asked to notify the Legislative Yuan to cancel her registration. As the party moves forward, some observers suggest that further scrutiny may turn toward other financial contributions, including reports concerning the New Hometown Association and a 10 million dollar donation linked to Miao Tian.
The sudden vacancy leaves the party facing questions about whether the Legislative Yuan can finally bring stability to a period marked by repeated volatility surrounding Li’s seat.
