TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former legislator Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文) became the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Saturday (Oct. 18), securing 51.35% of votes. She defeated main rival Hao Lung-Pin (郝龍斌) with 34.41% to become the second woman to lead the KMT.
Cheng, 55, previously served as a legislator from 2008-2012 and from 2020-2024 in Taiwan's parliament. She worked as Executive Yuan, Taiwan's cabinet, spokesperson from 2012-2014 under former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九). She will assume office Nov. 1 for a four-year term, succeeding Eric Chu (朱立倫).
Voter turnout reached 35.54% across 331,145 eligible polling stations during the leadership contest. Cheng follows Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) as the second woman to chair the KMT since its founding. The victory positions her to lead Taiwan's largest opposition party through 2029.
The election sparked controversy over social media videos allegedly attacking Hao Lung-Pin. Hao accused "foreign online forces" of spreading false content against his campaign. Cheng emphasized the KMT must build a Taiwanese consensus on peaceful coexistence with China, the People's Republic of China.
Party member Chao Shao-kang (趙少康) publicly criticized Cheng's leadership on social media, urging party stabilization and alignment with mainstream opinion. Cheng faces immediate challenges in addressing internal discontent while navigating Taiwan's complex political landscape. ◼
