KMT to Hold First Mobile Central Standing Committee Meeting in Taitung on June 24 in Preparation for Local Elections

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 7) The Kuomintang (KMT) is expected to officially kick off the year-end local elections after party chairperson Cheng Li-wen concludes her US visit in mid-June. Party insiders stated that the first mobile Central Standing Committee meeting is planned for June 24 in Taitung County to boost the momentum of candidates for township, city, and county magistrate positions in Taitung. Subsequent meetings will be arranged based on the nomination status in various locations.

The KMT has completed the nomination process in most counties and cities for the year-end elections. In Hsinchu City, the party is supporting incumbent Mayor Ann Kao for re-election. In Chiayi City, based on a blue-white cooperation framework, former legislator Chang Chi-kai has been jointly nominated. In Chiayi County, an "opposition grand alliance" has been formed to jointly field a candidate with local forces.

Incumbent mayors and magistrates seeking re-election include Keelung Mayor George Hsieh, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng, Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin, Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua, and Lienchiang County Magistrate Wang Chung-ming. The KMT is expected to complete the formal nomination process for these candidates in early July.

Party insiders revealed that Cheng Li-wen is currently visiting the United States and is expected to return on June 16. After her return, she will formally enter election mode and intensify campaign support. She will subsequently arrange mobile Central Standing Committee meetings across various counties and cities in Taiwan, appearing on stage with local candidates at all levels to boost the party's election prospects.

Party insiders stated that the central party is currently planning to hold the first mobile Central Standing Committee meeting in Taitung County on June 24. This event will serve as a joint campaign rally for the party's Taitung County magistrate candidate, Taitung County Council Speaker Wu Hsiu-hua, and candidates for various township and city mayoral positions.

Party insiders also mentioned that the party currently assesses areas such as Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung as hotly contested battlegrounds in the year-end elections. It is believed that Cheng Li-wen will focus more effort on these regions. Regarding the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) strong challenge in the New Taipei City mayoral race, the KMT cannot afford to be complacent. However, it is believed that under the joint operational framework of Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, and Taoyuan, the KMT can mutually boost momentum and stabilize the election situation. (Editors: Lin Ke-lun, Yang Lan-xuan) 1150607