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KMT and PFP test ties in Keelung race

Although the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the People First Party (PFP) are planning a shared ticket for the next legislative and presidential elections, choosing a common nominee for the Keelung mayoral by-election could prove difficult, as KMT members vie for the chance to run in the mayoral race.

KMT legislative caucus whip Hsu Shao-ping (徐少萍) yesterday officially entered the race to become the KMT candidate for the by-election.

"I will become the first ever female mayor in Keelung. It takes some courage for a woman to run in a mayoral election," Hsu said.

The by-election was scheduled for May 12 after Keelung mayor Hsu Tsai-li (許財利) died of complications caused by chronic heart disease and diabetes.

Keelung City Council Speaker Chang Tong-rong (張通榮) from the KMT and three other KMT mem-bers have also expressed interest in running in the by-election.

Chang said he would not rule out running in the race.

PFP Legislator Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄) said: "I extended my blessings to Hsu Shao-ping, but I will not declare my candidacy at this point. I want to leave room for the two parties to negotiate on a joint nomination."

The KMT and PFP formed a party alliance earlier this year to cooperate on common candidates for the year-end legislative election and the presidential election next year.

Liu said, now that the KMT and PFP will have common tickets for the next legislative and presidential polls, the two parties must first cooperate in the Keelung by-election.

"It's easy to insist that you want to run in the election, but we all need to have patience with each other if we think the solidarity of the pan-blue camp is important," Liu said.
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