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.
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