Taipei mayoral race narrows as Chiang and Shen clash over debates

The 2026 Taipei mayoral election is intensifying as recent polling shows a narrowing gap between incumbent Chiang Wan-an and Democratic Progressive Party challenger Shen Po-yang. According to a TVBS poll, Chiang holds 49% support while Shen follows with 41%, a significant decrease from a 28-percentage-point lead in May.

Debate participation has become a central point of contention. Shen has formally invited Chiang to participate in at least four televised debates hosted by various media outlets, including TVBS, PTS, SET, and Mirror TV. Chiang has indicated a willingness to coordinate with TVBS for a debate, though his camp has faced criticism from Shen’s team for appearing to limit discussions to a single session.

Political analysts note that the race is shifting toward a battle for middle-ground voters. While Chiang maintains a high favorability rating for reelection at 55%, Shen has gained momentum in traditional green strongholds. Meanwhile, the campaign has drawn international scrutiny following reports of Chinese state media criticizing the appearance of celebrity Tsai Kang-yong at Shen’s campaign headquarters.