DPP: KMT's 'Toxic Oil' Protest a Double-Edged Sword for Taipei Mayor

The opposition Kuomintang party recently mobilized a large crowd in Taipei, rallying at Ketagalan Boulevard to protest the government's response to a "toxic oil" incident. The party claimed over 200,000 people participated in the demonstration.

Within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the assessment is that Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is attempting to position himself as a leading figure for the KMT in the upcoming year-end elections. His shift from a more moderate image to a more aggressive stance, described as becoming a "wolf warrior," is seen as a calculated political move to energize the party's base. However, the DPP believes this approach risks alienating centrist and economically-focused voters, potentially causing more harm than good.

DPP insiders suggest that while the KMT's mobilization effectively amplified the issue, it may not be the decisive factor in the elections. They argue that the core of the problem lies with the companies that concealed information and delayed reporting. The central government, they contend, is diligently working to resolve the situation with a scientific and pragmatic approach, contrasting it with the KMT's political maneuvering.

The DPP acknowledges the KMT's significant mobilization capabilities, particularly in leveraging food safety concerns to rally its supporters. In response, the DPP is preparing its own campaign strategy, which will include deploying prominent officials like former Taipei mayoral candidate Chen Shih-chung and Premier Cho Jung-tai to explain policies and counter misinformation. The party also plans to emphasize its economic achievements, such as recent trade benefits from the US, and social welfare policies, including wage increases and tax reductions, to appeal to centrist and economically-minded voters. Party Chairman William Lai is expected to lead campaign efforts in key counties and cities.

Grassroots representatives within the DPP have warned that the KMT has likely set food safety as a central theme for the election campaign, possibly to divert attention from more divisive issues. They are concerned about the spread of misinformation, citing a KMT legislative leader's claim that "60% of the oil is substandard." They urge the central government to provide immediate clarifications to help supporters and representatives debunk false claims.