Zhubei mayoral election may become a three-way race? Chiu Chen-yuan: Blue-white coalition consensus is for the TPP to compete

Chiu Chen-yuan, a candidate for the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) in the Zhubei mayoral election, has stated that a consensus has been reached for his party to contest the position. He indicated that ongoing discussions between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the TPP regarding cooperation in Hsinchu County include supporting Hsu Hsin-ying for county magistrate while the TPP would field a candidate for Zhubei mayor.

Chiu emphasized that political cooperation must be built on a foundation of integrity and trust. He noted that while the TPP respects the coordination mechanisms between the central leadership of both parties, particularly between TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang and KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen, the feelings of supporters are also crucial. He stated that the content of these communications suggests a joint governance approach where the TPP would take on the responsibility for the Zhubei mayoralty.

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The communication content, as far as I know, Chairman Huang Kuo-chang,委員 Hsu Hsin-ying, and Chairman Cheng Li-wen have discussed multiple times the cooperation consensus between the two parties in Hsinchu County, which is to fully support委員 Hsu Hsin-ying for county magistrate, and the Taiwan People's Party will shoulder the heavy responsibility of Zhubei mayor, to complete the direction of joint governance.

Addressing the potential for a three-way race, Chiu acknowledged that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is also expected to nominate a candidate, likely one endorsed by the incumbent mayor, Zheng Chao-fang. This is anticipated to intensify the electoral contest. Chiu reiterated that the TPP has been consistent in its stance since he accepted the party's nomination, asserting that the TPP would field a candidate for Zhubei mayor regardless of Mayor Zheng's decisions.

Chiu highlighted the interconnectedness of the Zhubei mayoral and Hsinchu county magistrate elections, stressing the need for a broader perspective. He mentioned that the TPP had previously considered nominating him for county magistrate, but opted for a simpler electoral landscape aligned with the blue-white coalition agreement. He concluded by stating that the TPP has shown considerable sincerity in its efforts to facilitate cooperation.

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Political cooperation must be built on the basis of integrity.