TAIPEI (TVBS News) — New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) definitively ruled out pursuing the Kuomintang (國民黨, KMT), Taiwan's main opposition party, chairmanship during a Monday (Aug. 25) event. Hou expressed unwavering support for any party member willing to assume the challenging leadership responsibility. The mayor emphasized that he respected and understood the decisions made by current KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) and Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen regarding their positions on the leadership race.
Hou reinforced his dedication to party unity as a fundamental principle while pledging continued support for members prepared to shoulder leadership responsibilities. The mayor's declaration came one day after Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) announced Saturday (Aug. 24) following local recall and referendum proceedings that she would not seek the KMT chairmanship. Lu emphasized her unwavering commitment to protecting her constituents and their economic welfare, while Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) had previously withdrawn from consideration earlier this month.
Current KMT Chairman Eric Chu has announced he will not pursue reelection, creating a significant leadership vacuum within Taiwan's opposition party. Political observers have identified several potential candidates for the position, including former Taipei Mayor Hou Lung-bin (郝龍斌) and former Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強). Despite her refusal to seek the party chairmanship, Lu remains widely considered the KMT's most viable candidate for Taiwan's 2028 presidential election. ◼
