Leader Yok Mu-ming Founded August 22, 1993 Political position Right-wing | Founder Chen Kuei-miao Headquarters Taipei | |
Ideology Chinese nationalism
Conservatism
Chinese Reunification | ||
The New Party (NP), formerly the Chinese New Party (CNP), is a conservative political party supporting Chinese unification in Taiwan, and part of the pan-blue coalition.
History
The New Party was formed out of a split from the then-ruling Kuomintang (KMT) by members of the New Kuomintang Alliance on August 22, 1993. Members of the Alliance had accused KMT Chairman Lee Teng-hui of autocratic tendencies and moving the party away from Chinese reunification. Co-founders of the New Party included Chen Kuei-miao. Originally, the party wanted to keep the name of the faction, but was prevented from doing so due to the similarity of names. The name "New Party" was seemingly inspired by the contemporary electoral success of the Japan New Party ("Nihon ShintÅ"; see Politics of Japan).
In the mid-1990s, the New Party attracted support from the KMT old guard as well as young urban professionals. The New Party was aided by former Finance Minister Wang Chien-shien and former Environmental Protection Administration Director Jaw Shaw-kong, who had charismatic and clean images.
In the 2000 presidential election, the party nominated writer and dissident Li Ao who ran a spirited but token campaign. In the election, most members of the party supported James Soong, and in fact both Li Ao and the chairman of the New Party encouraged people to do so. In the 2001 Legislative Yuan election, the party only won 1 seat in Kinmen.
In the 2006 municipal elections, the New Party made significant gains, seating over a dozen members into public office. The New Party also gained four seats in Taipei Major private offices.
Since the 2008 Legislative Yuan elections, the party hasn't won any seat.