TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) former Secretary-General Lee Chien-lung (李乾龍) declared Wednesday (Aug. 13) that voters sent a clear message through the July 26 recall election, demanding unprecedented cooperation between the opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨). The veteran political strategist proposed during a radio interview that the crucial New Taipei City mayoral candidate selection should be determined through comprehensive opinion polling. Lee's remarks signal a potential shift in Taiwan's opposition alliance strategy ahead of the high-stakes municipal election.
Lee dissected the complex New Taipei City mayoral succession, predicting that current mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) would strategically transfer leadership to the most viable candidate. The former party official praised the distinct qualifications of three potential contenders: Lee Shu-chuan (李四川), Liu Ho-jan (劉和然), and Hung Meng-kai (洪孟楷). Lee expressed particular confidence in Lee Shu-chuan's political courage and readiness to accept the challenging mayoral campaign. Addressing persistent speculation about tensions between Lee Shu-chuan and Mayor Hou, he firmly dismissed any internal conflicts while acknowledging that deputy mayor Liu Ho-jan naturally enjoys Hou's backing.
Lee outlined the framework for potential KMT-TPP collaboration in New Taipei City's mayoral contest, emphasizing that any partnership between the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party would hinge entirely on polling data outcomes. The political veteran noted that including prominent TPP figure Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) in candidate polling surveys would ultimately depend on decisions made by the party's incoming leadership. This strategic approach reflects the evolving dynamics of Taiwan's opposition politics as both parties seek to maximize their electoral prospects. ◼
