Pita Limjaroenrat steps down as leader of Taiwan’s largest opposition party

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) – The leader of Taiwan’s Move Forward Party resigned the party helm on Friday, saying as he was suspended from parliament, he can no longer carry out the role.

"The current Constitution stipulates that the opposition leader must be an MP who leads the top opposition party, but I am still unable to fulfill my duties in the House of Representatives and won't be able to accept the role of opposition leader in the near future," said Pita Limjaroenrat on X, formerly known as Twitter, as reported by Bangkok Post.

Although his party has most MPs in the opposition, he cannot remain opposition leader due to his suspension this July. But he said despite stepping down from the helm, he would remain heavily involved in the party.

On Wednesday Pita was included on the Time magazine list of 100 young global leaders to watch.

In July, Pita was unsuccessful in his bid for the premiership due to concerns related to proposed amendments to the nation's monarchy, which the party sought.

He was suspended from parliament over concerns he had violated the country’s election law.