Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) is viewed as the “strongest contender” to run for mayor of Taipei within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), sources said, as the party’s Electoral Strategy Committee is set to convene today.
The committee is expected to discuss candidates for the mayoral and county commissioner elections this year, as the party’s Central Executive Committee reviews eligibility for city councilor nomination registrations on Wednesday, sources familiar with the matter said.
The DPP has not yet nominated candidates for this year’s local elections in Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, Hualien County, Kinmen County and Lienchiang County (Matsu).
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
For the Taipei mayoral race, the party has reached a consensus that Cheng would be the “strongest contender” to run, sources said.
The party is waiting for the “best timing” to make its choice, considering the uncertainty around US tariffs, they said.
The party has reached a consensus to nominate Jhubei City Mayor Cheng Chao-fang (鄭朝方) to run for Hsinchu County commissioner, they said, adding that his stance has softened after being persuaded by President William Lai (賴清德).
The DPP has not ruled out separately proceeding nominations for the mayoral and county commissioner races in Hsinchu, considering incumbent Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao’s (高虹安) return, they said.
The party is almost certain about its choice for Hualien County, they said, adding that it is likely to work with Hualien County Council Speaker Chang Chun (張峻).
For the Taoyuan mayoral race, Presidential Office Deputy
Secretary-General Mark Ho (何志偉), Deputy Minister of Justice Huang Shih-chieh (黃世杰) and DPP Legislator Wang Yi-chuan (王義川) are considered possible options, they said.
The DPP has to carefully mull its nominations to face the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) hold on northern Taiwan between Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安), Taipei Deputy City Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) and Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang (張善政), they said.
DPP Legislator Su Chiao-hui (蘇巧慧), who has been selected as the party’s nominee to run in the New Taipei City mayoral race, is already steadily campaigning. The party believes strong candidates in Taipei and Taoyuan could significantly boost their prospects across northern Taiwan, they said.
For Kinmen and Matsu, the party does not rule out strategic cooperation, they said.
Penghu County Commissioner Chen Kuang-fu (陳光復) is considered to have a strong chance of reelection, they said.
The 70-year-old member of the DPP, who is recovering from a severe injury during the Lunar New Year, performed well in the role and has strong local recognition, they added.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS