Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強), former KMT legislator Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) and former Changhua County commissioner Cho Po-yuan (卓伯源) yesterday registered to run in the party’s chairperson election next month, while former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) collected his registration forms.
Lo and Cheng each paid an administration fee of NT$3 million (US$99,645) and a deposit of NT$10 million while surrounded by their supporters.
Candidate registration is open through today, and the election to replace outgoing KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) is to take place on Oct. 18.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
Lo, 55, told reporters he believes he is the most appropriate candidate to unite the party, facilitate cooperation with the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) and gather grassroots political support.
Uniting the opposition is the only way to defeat President William Lai (賴清德), he added.
Lo said his core message as a candidate is that the KMT needs to stop in-fighting and focus its energies on oversight of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government.
Hau, who served as Taipei mayor from 2006 to 2014, pledged that he would not run for the presidency himself, but would instead act as a “kingmaker or queenmaker” to help the party win elections next year and in 2028.
Hau said that given their recent success in defeating the recall votes, it is vital that the KMT and the TPP work together to maximize their chances of removing the DPP from power.
Hau was accompanied by former Broadcasting Corp of China chairman Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康), who had considered a run for chairman before throwing his weight behind Hau.
“I hope all those who originally encouraged or supported my candidacy for party chair will give their votes to Hau,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cheng emphasized her “humble” beginnings in Yunlin County, saying that while she did not have a wealthy or politically connected family, she had “determination” and “strength of character.”
“Today is a day of national disgrace,” Cheng said, accusing the DPP of “echoing the US’ theory of the undetermined status of Taiwan” on the 80th anniversary of “Retrocession Day.”
Cho said that he would promote the direct election of members of the Control Yuan to safeguard people’s rights.
He also vowed to “rescue” KMT workers who are persecuted by an “unfair judiciary.”
Regarding cross-strait relations, he said that “one China” is the basis for peace.
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