Former Changhua County commissioner Cho Po-yuan (卓伯源) today announced his candidacy for chairmanship of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).
If elected, Cho vowed to focus on the role full-time, forego running for president to act as kingmaker and “win back” the party and the Republic of China.
If there are other party members polling higher than himself, Cho said he would be willing to support their candidacy if they are willing to take on the responsibility of leading the KMT.
Photo: Taipei Times
The party is set to hold an election for new leadership this year, but has not yet set a timeline.
KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) has not yet stated whether he intended to run for re-election.
In a news conference today, Cho compared Taiwan under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to a “frog slowly boiling in water,” highlighting issues around people’s livelihoods, the economy, peace and sustainability.
He called on the DPP to stop the recall movement to allow the government to function normally, to prevent industrial outflows to avoid layoffs, to no longer advocate for Taiwanese independence and to abandon its position against nuclear energy.
The KMT should also conduct an internal review to find out why it can win at the local level, but lose the presidential election, he added.
Cho said he is participating in the KMT chair election to return Taiwan to a middle ground by acting as a check against the DPP, adding that all parts of society should join the effort.
Asked if he had discussed the matter with Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), as media earlier reported she also intends to run in the election, Cho said that he had sent a message to Lu prior to the news conference.
Lu is currently focused on municipal affairs and has not expressed an intent to run in the election, Cho said, adding that the KMT would rally behind whichever candidate is most suited for the role and can bring victory in 2028.
KMT Culture and Communications Committee head Lin Kuan-yu (林寬裕) welcomed Cho’s candidacy, saying it has always been the party’s position to welcome anyone willing to contribute.
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
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
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
RSS