Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) is willing to withdraw from the election “without any strings attached,” a local media report said yesterday, as the party moves to find a replacement in the face of Hung’s dismal poll ratings.
The Chinese-language United Evening News said that the deputy legislative speaker received a text message in the morning from KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) “expressing goodwill” and that Hung, according to her aides, is considering pulling out, but would not accept any kind of arrangement in exchange.
Hung’s spokesperson, Wang Hong-wei (王鴻薇), showed reporters a message that Hung sent Chu in response.
Photo: CNA
“Chairman [Chu], you have worked so hard. I harbor no grudge, no regret and no hate. I respect the resolution made by the Central Standing Committee and will leave the decision to the extraordinary party congress. God bless the party. Hsiu-chu prays,” the message said.
Wang did not reveal what Chu’s message was about, but said it was about arranging a meeting with Hung.
Hung’s attitude has not changed since the Central Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday, Wang said, adding that Hung would continue to call for the party representatives’ support until the day the extraordinary party congress is convened.
Hung yesterday attended a national holiday event, but did not meet with the reporters to field questions, which was rather unusual based on past experience.
She also left the venue earlier than planned to attend to “other crucial business,” her campaign office said.
According to the United Evening News report, Hung said she would respect the system and accept the committee and the party congress’ decision without accepting any offer in exchange.
“If I withdraw from the race, it would be a ‘naked retreat’ (裸退),” Hung was quoted as saying, meaning she would not accept the offer to run as Chu or other possible candidates’ running mate.
The report cited Hung’s confidant as saying that the deputy legislative speaker is not a person that can be bought and that she would withdraw “with no strings attached” if her candidacy is revoked by the extempore party congress.
That would be a slap in the face for the “mudslinging made by certain people on the TV, who insist that she was asking for something in exchange for her withdrawal,” the confidant said.
The confidant said that Hung believes it was the committee’s decision, not Chu’s, as he was simply following due procedure to replace her as the party’s presidential candidate, adding that a meeting between Chu and Hung is possible after the Double Ten National Day events today.
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