Lai Ching-te, Cheng Li-wen to clash in Changhua City on Qixi Festival

Taiwan's upcoming local elections are heating up as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Kuomintang (KMT) prepare for a head-to-head campaign push in Changhua City. President and DPP Chairman Lai Ching-te, along with KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen, are both scheduled to attend rallies for their respective county magistrate candidates on August 19, a mere 101 days before the polls.

This dual presence in Changhua City, with both party leaders visiting within a five-day span for the second time, emphasizes the critical importance of the region in the election landscape. The DPP's event is set for 1 p.m. at the campaign headquarters for Chen Su-yueh, while the KMT's rally will follow at 2 p.m. at the headquarters for Wei Ping-cheng. The proximity of these events, less than 4 kilometers apart, has prompted a strong police presence.

The Changhua County magistrate race has been a focal point due to internal party struggles. The DPP faced challenges with multiple candidates vying for the nomination, ultimately selecting legislator Chen Su-yueh. The KMT's nomination process was also tumultuous, marked by a dispute within the influential Chang family and disagreements between Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen and incumbent Governor Wang Hui-mei over candidate selection. Despite Wang Hui-mei's preference for a different candidate, Cheng Li-wen ultimately nominated lawyer Wei Ping-cheng, excluding other contenders and causing discontent among some party members.

The high-stakes nature of the election is evident in the frequent visits by both Lai Ching-te and Cheng Li-wen to Changhua. Their repeated appearances highlight the pressure on both parties to secure a victory in the county. Governor Wang Hui-mei's recent actions, including appearing with Lai Ching-te shortly after missing a KMT event for Wei Ping-cheng, have further fueled speculation and discussion within the KMT base.

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The two party chairmen are clashing for the second time in five days in Changhua, highlighting the intensity of the county magistrate election.