The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday confirmed it had rejected People First Party (PFP) Legislator Shen Chih-hwei's (
KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (
Shen announced last week that she had decided to leave the PFP and join the KMT for the next legislative session, which starts in September.
Shen, who ran for Taichung mayor against incumbent Jason Hu (
There was apparently a lot of resentment between the KMT and PFP branches in Taichung both before and after last December's election and the KMT's Taichung headquarters rejected Shen's application.
"Shen did come to me to talk about her application, but I told her that we needed to respect the local headquarters' decision," Ma said yesterday after presiding over a municipal meeting at Taipei City Hall.
The KMT requires applicants to file their membership applications with their local branches.
"If local branch has issues with an application, it's the applicant's job to communicate with the branch and try to solve the problems," he said.
Shen said on Monday that she would continue to try to join the KMT as an independent legislator.
PFP caucus whip Lu Hsueh-chang (
"The KMT already rejected her application, but she still wants to join it ? What's done can't be undone. We give her our blessing and deepest regret as well," Lu said.
Shen's colleague, PFP Legislator Chen Chao-rung (
Starting from the next legislative election, a single-member district system will be implemented, which is regarded as unfavorable to smaller parties.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
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At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
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