Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) yesterday vowed to make an all-out effort to retain the KMT’s control of New Taipei City in the 2018 municipal elections, while setting the party’s sights on taking back as many administrative regions as possible.
Hung made the remarks at the swearing-in ceremony of former Ministry of National Defense Reserve Command deputy chief of staff Lee Ming-teng (李銘藤) as the director of the KMT’s local branch in New Taipei City.
“At a time when the KMT is faced with many predicaments, subjected to public ridicule and looked down upon by others, we must deliver more stellar achievements,” Hung said.
Hung said she has a special emotional connection with New Taipei City, where she served as director of the women’s working committee at the KMT’s local branch for seven years.
People who have suffered setbacks and sailed against the stream are often “persistent doers,” Hung said, adding that despite coming from an economically disadvantaged family, Lee managed to obtain a master’s degree from National Taiwan University’s department of political science before becoming a lieutenant general.
“New Taipei City is an extremely vital electoral district for the KMT. We must do everything in our power to retain the party’s governance of the city in the 2018 elections,” Hung said.
Hung said the KMT should also endeavor to take back Taipei, governed by independent Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), and return to power in as many cities and counties as possible.
The KMT suffered a defeat in the 2014 nine-in-one elections, losing three special municipalities — Taipei, Taichung and Taoyuan — as well as six cities and counties.
Of Taiwan’s 22 cities and counties, the KMT controls six, including New Taipei City, the only special municipality the party won, while the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) governs 13. The other three are governed by independents.
The KMT’s electoral setbacks in the 2014 election prompted then-KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to step down.
Lee said in light of the KMT’s defeat in the 2014 elections, his new post has imposed immense responsibility upon him.
Pledging to step up recruitment of young talent and providing better service to local constituents, Lee said he would take concrete measures and invest emotionally in fulfilling his goal of turning the local branch into a competent organization that can shoulder the responsibilities assigned by party headquarters.
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