00:00What do we know about Li Zhengxiu's ousting from the TPP so far, and is there anything that stands out?
00:07Well, several things. Initially, there was, of course, all the controversy regarding her inability to renounce her PRC citizenship, but
00:16that's not really what the issue was.
00:19What effectively happened is she started saying some things which the party were quite upset about.
00:26For example, she said that Ku Wenzhou gave Ang Gao, the Xinjiu mayor, $7 million NT, and then she had
00:36to walk that back.
00:38She also made some other comments, and so that is what got her referred to the evaluation committee that ruled
00:47on her case.
00:48She was, of course, expelled from the party, which means that she will lose her legislative seat.
00:55How might this affect the TPP's strategy or calculus in the upcoming local elections later this year?
01:01I think this specific issue by itself will not have much of an effect on the party going into the
01:08elections.
01:09However, I think it does add to a general perception among a lot of voters of problems, chronic problems within
01:18the TPP.
01:19Now, as far as the TPP's base, they've remained remarkably loyal through the party, through all the allegations, convictions, and
01:28all the other problems that the parties faced.
01:30But the party also has a strong disapproval rating among the rest of the public.
01:37So, I think this is more adding to the pile rather than being a pile in and of itself.
01:44Lee Zenshiou has been in the headlines pretty often over the past few months.
01:48Is this the last we've heard of her?
01:50Well, among her other problems, she's also facing allegations, and apparently it's reported today that they may be launching an
02:00investigation,
02:01or prosecutors may be launching an investigation into her for alleged document forgery and corruption.
02:09So, I think she's going to remain in the news for quite a while.
02:13And, of course, as a former lawmaker, when she speaks or makes public statements, the press is going to pay
02:20attention to that.
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