Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) would consent to taking a poll as a reference to merge his presidential bid with that of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) presidential candidate, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), Ko’s campaign office said yesterday.
The TPP believes that polling by a credible third party could ensure the strongest opposition candidate takes the field, Ko campaign spokeswoman Chen Chih-han (陳智菡) said, adding that the loser should quit the race.
Her remarks came a day after Ko said a TPP-KMT alliance is to happen in the election, but its form is still being discussed.
Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
Chen said Ko’s position is that he would establish a coalition government made of talent from across the political divide, and he hopes to facilitate Taiwan’s transition toward a parliamentary system.
The integration would facilitate a shift from “hostility and confrontation” to “harmony and cooperation” in inter-party relations, she added.
KMT spokesperson Yang Chih-yu (楊智?) said the KMT and the TPP were seeking a middle ground for a possible collaboration, and the KMT would consider any suggestions with patience and empathy.
KMT caucus convener William Tseng (曾銘宗) said that the move toward cooperation is driven by the people’s choice and that integration would succeed in spite of the obstacles and challenges.
When asked if Ko’s remarks signaled an attempt by the TPP to capture KMT voters, Tseng said it is natural for political parties to try to maximize popular support.
The KMT respects the consideration of other parties, he said, adding that while the talks go on, the KMT also strives to secure undecided and young votes, and anyone who might support its candidates.
Meanwhile, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou’s (郭台銘) presidential campaign spokesman Huang Shih-hsiu (黃士修) said that the problem with Ko’s proposal is that it does not specify who would get to choose the credible polling agency and leaves out how credibility would be assessed.
Additional reporting by CNA
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
Taiwan sweltered through its hottest October on record, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, the latest in a string of global temperature records. The main island endured its highest average temperature since 1950, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng said. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as human-induced climate change contributes to ever more erratic weather patterns. Taiwan’s average temperature was 27.381°C as of Thursday, Liu said. Liu said the average could slip 0.1°C by the end of yesterday, but it would still be higher than the previous record of 27.009°C in 2016. "The temperature only started lowering around Oct. 18 or 19
RSS