Opposition's 'fear card' tactic aims to boost election votes, says DPP candidate

The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party is employing a "fear card" strategy, leveraging concerns about cross-strait relations and potential conflict to mobilize voters in the upcoming local elections, according to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

KMT Chairwoman Chien-yu-chen has repeatedly criticized President Lai Ching-te's stance against the "1992 Consensus," suggesting it pushes the two sides toward war. She has invoked risks of conflict in the Taiwan Strait and warned against Taiwan becoming another Ukraine, aiming to galvanize KMT support.

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People need national stability, security, and development, not to be held hostage by fear.

However, DPP candidate for Taichung mayor and legislator Ho Hsin-chun countered that people need national stability, security, and development, not to be held hostage by fear. She asserted that citizens ultimately care about which mayoral candidate possesses the ability to govern the city and genuinely improve people's lives.

Ho stated in an interview that pursuing peace is a common goal for all parties. However, she argued that peace cannot be built on spreading fear or creating anxiety, nor can it be politically manipulated for electoral gain. She accused the opposition of operating on fear, cutting defense budgets, and obstructing government proposals aimed at enhancing national resilience, security, and regional stability.

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Pursuing peace is a common goal for all parties, but peace cannot be built on spreading fear, creating anxiety, nor can it be politically manipulated for electoral gain.

Regarding the impact on the year-end elections, Ho believes Taiwanese voters are becoming increasingly discerning. While cross-strait relations are a concern, she emphasized that people are more focused on daily life challenges and identifying mayoral candidates with strong governance capabilities, innovative thinking, and the ability to improve basic living standards.

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If opposition parties base their campaigns on fear, they fail to address the concerns of swing voters regarding livelihoods, the economy, industry, transportation, and security.

Ho directly stated that people need stability, security, and development, not to be fear-mongered by politicians. She suggested that if opposition parties base their campaigns on fear, they fail to address the concerns of swing voters regarding livelihoods, the economy, industry, transportation, and security. She urged the opposition to reflect on this.

"Taichung is a new international industrial core and a preferred city for living," Ho emphasized. She expressed confidence that Taichung voters are pragmatic and will compare candidates based on concrete policy proposals and their ability to solve urban governance issues. With Taichung being the second-most populous city in Taiwan, she hopes the city will continue to develop, attract investment, and provide comprehensive care for all generations. Ultimately, she believes citizens will base their votes on who can lead Taichung to a better future, focusing on municipal development and governance capabilities.

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Taichung is a new international industrial core and a preferred city for living.