Former legislator Chiu sees Gou as a force one can’t ignore

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As the 2024 presidential election in Taiwan approaches, all eyes are focused on the potential alliance between the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP). 

In a speech on Thursday (Nov. 2), Chiu Yi, a former KMT legislator and People First Party member, addressed a strategy to spark a revival of the KMT-TPP alliance. He insisted that Foxconn founder Terry Gou's prominence as a candidate for the election must not be disregarded.

Chiu underscored the disastrous consequences that would follow if KMT Chair Eric Chu hadn't mustered up the courage to undermine the "evil forces" within the party that are intent on wreaking havoc as KMT and TPP work their way to a coalition.

The success of the KMT-TPP alliance pivots on whether the KMT is persistent in conducting open and democratic elections, according to Chiu. He warned about the KMT's choice to be transparent during the primary election, judging that further issues may arise, as we could all see the troubles incurred when Foxconn offices faced a tax probe from Chinese officials.

Chiu perceives the transparent approach as making Gou a target of multiple investigations, which he considers part of the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) strategy to garner illegitimate votes. Chiu wrapped up the debate with an ultimate suggestion, drawing attention to open public voting during the primaries to prevent any manipulative activity that remains invisible to the public eye. 

Chiu also emphasized Gou's potential strength in affecting election poll results, seeing his ten percent support base as a force that cannot be ignored.