KMT-TPP Alliance Buzzes in New Taipei, Stalls in Taichung

In the lead-up to the year-end elections, New Taipei City has become a focal point for collaboration between Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP), marked by a joint press conference. However, the situation in Taichung presents a stark contrast, with a notable lack of similar joint political activities between the two parties.

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New Taipei City's Blue-White cooperation is bustling, but Taichung's is quiet.

Multiple TPP candidates running for city council seats in Taichung have expressed eagerness for cooperation with the KMT's mayoral candidate, Jiang Qichen. They hope he will appear at their campaign events and feature on joint campaign posters. With the central leadership of both parties having established a framework for KMT-TPP cooperation, TPP officials in Taichung anticipate discussions with the KMT local party branch soon.

While the KMT's Taichung branch has indicated that Jiang Qichen supporting TPP candidates would not violate party regulations, concrete actions regarding collaboration with the TPP have yet to materialize. Local observers suggest the KMT's hesitation stems from concerns about potential dissatisfaction among their own city council candidates. This is particularly true in closely contested districts like Xitun and Taiping, where KMT candidates reportedly feel uneasy about the prospect of alliance.

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multiple TPP Taichung city council candidates are very much looking forward to KMT mayoral candidate Jiang Qichen standing on the platform and taking campaign photos together.

Some KMT candidates voiced their apprehension, arguing that a KMT-TPP alliance could lead to voter confusion. They believe that in many districts where the election is already tight, the TPP's similar political leaning could draw votes away from KMT candidates, making their campaigns more challenging. Despite these concerns, the existence of a cooperation mechanism between the KMT and TPP central committees means local party members must navigate these dynamics.

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the KMT city council candidates are very unhappy

For TPP candidates, the desire extends beyond just featuring photos of TPP leaders like Ko Wen-je and Huang Kuo-chang. They also hope to include images of Jiang Qichen on their campaign materials. The differing levels of enthusiasm and strategic approaches to this 'Blue-White' cooperation highlight the complex political landscape as parties strategize for the upcoming elections.

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Blue-White cooperation can easily confuse voters