Fu Kun-chi has hit his political ceiling, says commentator

Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu publicly expressed anger at Kuomintang (KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi for missing five crucial cross-party budget negotiation sessions. Han's rare outburst included telling Fu to resign his leadership position, drawing significant public attention.

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Fu Kun-chi has finally hit a hard plate.

In response, author Jaw Shaw-kong commented that Fu Kun-chi has finally hit a "hard plate" in his political career. Jaw believes Fu's highest achievable position is caucus whip, arguing he is not even suitable to be the vice speaker of the legislature, let alone contend for national leadership roles within the KMT.

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He can at most only become the caucus whip, not even fit to be the vice speaker of the legislature, let alone dreaming of entering the list of 'KMT suns' and competing for the presidency.

Jaw explained that while Fu has leveraged strong local influence and political maneuvering to secure his leadership role, his past includes stock market manipulation charges, a prison sentence, and a political dynasty image in Hualien. These factors, Jaw contends, create a negative brand for centrist voters and younger generations. He suggested Fu's influence is confined to his party's base and local constituency, becoming a "poison" to the KMT's national electoral prospects.

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Fu Kun-chi's past stock market manipulation case, prison record, and his image as a local emperor-like political figure are negative brands in the eyes of centrist voters and the younger generation.

Furthermore, Jaw pointed to Fu's age, 64, and the political competition from younger KMT figures like Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. He questioned whether Fu has enough time to reach the pinnacle of power, especially considering potential health issues that could destabilize his political empire. Jaw also noted that the KMT's recent shift towards a more radical "battle blue" strategy, which Fu embodied, may have alienated moderate voters, potentially jeopardizing the party's chances in future elections. This strategic shift, Jaw suggested, might explain Han Kuo-yu's public criticism of Fu, as the party seeks to moderate its image.

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Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu yesterday (11th) presided over this year's cross-party budget negotiations, and because KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi was absent five times, Han publicly lost his temper and angrily rebuked Fu Kun-chi to 'just resign as whip'.