Robin Winkler
Encyclopedia
Robin Winkler is a naturalized Taiwanese, a lawyer (US) and environmental activist.
Winkler has been a frequent front-line campaigner on green issues in Taiwan
, having founded the legal environmental defence organisation Wild at Heart and spoken out on many causes of environmental concern in Taiwan. In 2003, Winkler renounced his US nationality and acquired Republic of China
(Taiwanese) citizenship.
In February 2009, Winkler was considered for election to the Legislative Yuan seat previously held by Diane Lee, representing the Green Party of Taiwan. In the end, however Winkler was not able to stand, due to limitations in law. Instead, Calvin Wen (溫炳原), a former Secretary-General of the Party, stood in the by-election instead. By the law on elections and recall of the Republic of China, naturalized citizens can only stand for elections after 10 years of obtaining their citizenship. Winkler considers this requirement to be unconstitutional and has pursued the case through petition and an administrative lawsuit, the latter in an attempt to obtain a constitutional interpretation.
Winkler has been a frequent front-line campaigner on green issues in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, having founded the legal environmental defence organisation Wild at Heart and spoken out on many causes of environmental concern in Taiwan. In 2003, Winkler renounced his US nationality and acquired Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(Taiwanese) citizenship.
In February 2009, Winkler was considered for election to the Legislative Yuan seat previously held by Diane Lee, representing the Green Party of Taiwan. In the end, however Winkler was not able to stand, due to limitations in law. Instead, Calvin Wen (溫炳原), a former Secretary-General of the Party, stood in the by-election instead. By the law on elections and recall of the Republic of China, naturalized citizens can only stand for elections after 10 years of obtaining their citizenship. Winkler considers this requirement to be unconstitutional and has pursued the case through petition and an administrative lawsuit, the latter in an attempt to obtain a constitutional interpretation.