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Kaohsiung candidate accuses rival of prioritizing party over city interests

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • DPP Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Lai Rui-long criticizes KMT legislator Ko Chih-en for prioritizing party interests over Kaohsiung's welfare.
  • Lai alleges Ko consistently voted with the KMT caucus on key issues, even when proposals were legally questionable or detrimental to Kaohsiung.
  • Lai argues that Ko's voting record contradicts her public statements of prioritizing Kaohsiung, highlighting a discrepancy between words and actions.

Lai Rui-long, the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate for Kaohsiung mayor, has sharply criticized his opponent, KMT legislator Ko Chih-en, accusing her of consistently placing party loyalty above the interests of Kaohsiung. Lai asserted that Ko's voting record in the Legislative Yuan demonstrates a pattern of prioritizing "party will over Kaohsiung's interests."

Ko Chih-en says she loves Kaohsiung, but in key votes, she lets party will override Kaohsiung's interests.

— Lai Rui-longDPP Kaohsiung mayoral candidate, criticizing his opponent's legislative record.

Lai pointed to several significant legislative votes, including those concerning the "Fiscal Allocation Act," the central budget, and defense matters. He claimed that Ko has consistently aligned with the KMT caucus, even when proposed legislation faced legal challenges or threatened Kaohsiung's financial stability, construction projects, or industrial interests. "Ko Chih-en says she loves Kaohsiung, but in key votes, she lets party will override Kaohsiung's interests," Lai stated during a tour of drainage issues in Kaohsiung.

The DPP candidate highlighted Ko's alleged inconsistency, noting her public declarations of prioritizing Kaohsiung during election campaigns versus her voting behavior in the legislature. Lai questioned Ko's commitment, stating, "She claims to emphasize professional judgment, yet when facing proposals she herself deems legally questionable, she still votes in favor. During elections, she shouts 'Kaohsiung first,' but back in the Legislative Yuan, she chooses party will first."

She claims to emphasize professional judgment, yet when facing proposals she herself deems legally questionable, she still votes in favor. During elections, she shouts 'Kaohsiung first,' but back in the Legislative Yuan, she chooses party will first.

— Lai Rui-longDPP Kaohsiung mayoral candidate, accusing KMT legislator Ko Chih-en of hypocrisy.

Lai emphasized that while political rhetoric can change, a legislator's voting record is a matter of public record. He argued that these records clearly show Ko's choices in critical moments. The candidate concluded by stating that Kaohsiung needs a mayor who will "dare to fight for Kaohsiung's greatest interests at critical moments and put Kaohsiung first."

Kaohsiung needs a mayor who will dare to fight for Kaohsiung's greatest interests at critical moments and put Kaohsiung first.

— Lai Rui-longDPP Kaohsiung mayoral candidate, stating his vision for the city's leadership.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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