New Taipei City Mayor and newly elected Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) faces the daunting task of helping the party rise from the ashes after it suffered a crushing defeat in the Nov. 29 nine-in-one elections, party members said.
The party managed to retain just six of the 15 cities and counties it previously governed, while the Democratic Progressive Party had a net gain from seven cities and counties under its control to 13.
Chu was the only KMT politician who won in the nation’s six special municipalities to maintain his position as New Taipei City mayor.
Saturday’s by-election was called after the previous KMT chairman, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), stepped down to take responsibility for the defeat.
Chu, the sole candidate for the chairmanship, was elected with 196,065 votes, or 99.61 percent of the total cast by party members. He formally begins the role today.
“The priority of the party at this most difficult time is not to share power, but to shoulder responsibility,” Chu said, vowing to engage in party reform to regain public trust, adding that he would rediscover the spirit of the party and listen to the voice of the public to regain political power.
KMT Central Standing Committee member Lee Te-wei (李德維) said that after assuming his party post, Chu should integrate the affairs of the legislature, the government and the party, which should be “his strength” because Chu previously served as a legislator and vice premier.
KMT Central Standing Committee member and Greater Tainan Councilor Hsieh Lung-chieh (謝龍介) said Chu fared well in the southern city, with more than 60 percent of eligible voters turning out.
“This indicates that party members recognize his leadership,” Hsieh said.
Hsieh said the party would have to seek the support of the executive and legislative branches, find talented people to maintain its majority in the legislature and even seek victory in next year’s presidential election against all odds.
“These are the issues that the party chairman cannot avoid,” he said.
Chu’s first task after assuming his post will be the Feb. 7 legislative by-elections, followed by the legislative elections early next year, in which the KMT will be trying to maintain its legislative majority.
The biggest challenge is the presidential election, and turning the party’s low morale and tarnished image would test Chu’s wisdom and ability, party members said.
Chu said the KMT’s exchanges with China would not be suspended, though he was tight-lipped when asked if he would like to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平).
“I don’t think it will be a plus for Chu to visit China or meet Chinese leaders in the current climate,” said Joseph Cheng (鄭宇碩), a Taiwan expert at Hong Kong’s City University.
Instead, he should focus on the economy, job prospects and salaries to allay discontent and appeal to young voters, Cheng said.
Chu, 57, has served as a lawmaker and vice premier, but has a tough road ahead as party leader.
“Chu’s main challenges are to unite the party and reform its image so the KMT has a chance of maintaining its majority in the legislature, and not losing too terribly in the presidential race next year,” Cheng said.
While deemed by some party members as a possible presidential candidate, Chu, during the campaign period prior to the Nov. 29 local elections last year, ruled out running for president next year to focus on the mayoralty.
“He made a smart choice not to run for president next year since it is difficult for the KMT to win. He is still young and he can run in 2020 or after,” Cheng added.
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