TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, legislator and caucus whip Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) announced strong interest Thursday (Sept. 11) in pursuing the party chairmanship ahead of the Oct. 18 election. Fu revealed through an official statement that numerous party members have encouraged him over the past two months to seek the leadership position. The announcement intensifies the competition for control of Taiwan's oldest political party, which currently serves as the primary opposition to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
The KMT's 2025 party chairmanship election regulations stipulate that candidates must not have faced serious disciplinary actions including suspensions exceeding one year, expulsion, or party membership revocation. Fu's eligibility remains questionable due to his 2009 expulsion by then-chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), Taiwan's former president, for running independently as Hualien County magistrate without party endorsement. This disciplinary history could potentially disqualify him from the upcoming leadership contest under current party rules.
Current KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) initiated a special rehabilitation project in 2021 that enabled Fu to rejoin the party, creating uncertainty about his candidacy eligibility under existing regulations. Former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) has also declared his intention to compete for the chairmanship position. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), widely considered the party's most viable presidential candidate for the 2028 national election, announced she will not seek the chairmanship role. ◼
