Kuomintang bans legislators from supporting TPP candidate Chiu Chen-yuan

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wen has issued a directive to KMT legislators prohibiting them from campaigning for Chiu Chen-yuan, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) candidate for mayor of Zhubei. The order follows social media posts by TPP's Huang Ko-chang showing several KMT legislators dining with Chiu.

Cheng emphasized that while party rules generally prohibit supporting candidates from other parties, there is some discretion for local legislative members in certain districts. However, she explicitly stated, “but cannot help Chiu Chen-yuan stand,” stressing that the Hsinchu County election is vital to the party's future and must not be subject to private deals.

Legislator Xu Qiaoxin responded to the directive, stating she would follow party instructions but noted that the KMT's Hsinchu County mayoral candidate, Hsu Hsin-ying, has previously expressed openness to cooperation in Zhubei. Xu also clarified that a recent gathering involving KMT legislators and Chiu was intended to prepare for a campaign event for a TPP candidate in Chiayi.