TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), began accepting registration Monday (Sept. 15) for its leadership race as legislators Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) and Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯) collected candidacy forms at party headquarters. The internal election will take place Oct. 18, with registration continuing through Friday (Sept. 19). The contest comes as the KMT seeks to rebuild after recent electoral setbacks.
Lo articulated his vision for generational change, declaring the election represents an opportunity for younger leaders to guide the party forward. Political veterans Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文) and Chang Ya-chung (張亞中) dispatched representatives to collect registration materials, though Chang's team discovered paperwork errors requiring correction. They pledged to return Tuesday (Sept. 16) with properly completed documentation.
Veteran broadcaster Jaw Shau-kong (趙少康) and former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) announced plans to coordinate their support behind one candidate rather than competing separately. Jaw indicated they would evaluate public polling data and consult with local KMT faction leaders before determining their endorsement. This strategic alliance reflects efforts to avoid splitting the party establishment vote among multiple candidates.
KMT Legislative Caucus Leader Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) revealed he received encouragement to seek the chairmanship two months earlier but remains undecided about entering the race. Fu plans to announce his final decision this week while emphasizing the need for internal unity among potential candidates. He proposed that Hau, Lo, Cheng, and Chang collaborate as a "dream team" to strengthen the party and avoid damaging factional splits. ◼
