Taichung KMT Debates Campaigning for TPP Candidates Amidst Alliance Talks

The Kuomintang (KMT) in Taichung is navigating the complexities of potential cross-party cooperation, specifically regarding whether KMT mayoral candidate Chiang Chi-chen should actively campaign for Taiwan People's Party (TPP) councilor candidates. The issue arose following a forum between Chiang and TPP councilor candidate Chiang Ho-shu, which fueled speculation about a KMT-TPP alliance.

KMT Taichung City Party Chairman Su Po-hsing clarified that the primary focus of KMT-TPP collaboration is at the mayoral level, citing the example of Chiayi City. He explained that councilor elections present a different dynamic due to direct competition for votes between parties. "For city councilors, we still need to consider it carefully, because KMT and TPP councilors still have vote competition," Su stated.

Su indicated that Chiang Chi-chen's campaign support for TPP candidates would be limited to specific constituencies where the KMT has strategically chosen not to field its own candidate. He also noted that Chiang could support independent councilor candidates who maintain friendly relations with the KMT, such as Lin Hao-yu, Hsu Hsuan-feng, and Chen Ting-hsiu. However, in districts where the KMT has nominated its own candidates based on past electoral performance, such as West District (nominating three seats) or Dalis-Wufeng (where TPP incumbent Chiang Ho-shu is given priority), the party's stance restricts campaigning for TPP contenders.

Su emphasized that all decisions regarding campaign support and alliances ultimately depend on directives from the KMT central party headquarters. He also addressed instances where non-KMT nominated candidates appear alongside Chiang during his campaign events, explaining that while the party cannot prevent individuals from associating with Chiang, Chiang is prohibited from actively campaigning for them if they are running in violation of party discipline. The final decision on the extent of KMT-TPP cooperation in Taichung's councilor elections awaits further instruction from the party leadership.