TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Kuomintang is shifting its messaging ahead of the Aug. 23 recall elections, turning its attention to the government's handling of recent natural disasters.
The party is moving away from earlier attacks on President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) unity address and the impact of US tariffs, focusing instead on what it sees as the administration’s slow disaster response — particularly to recent flooding in southern Taiwan, according to UP Media. Internal assessments reportedly show the KMT believes this angle will better resonate with voters and amplify anti-Democratic Progressive Party sentiment.
KMT legislators facing recall are actively campaigning with support from local leaders in party-controlled municipalities. In northern Taiwan, New Taipei Legislator Lo Ming-tsai (羅明才) and Hsinchu Legislator Lin Szu-ming (林思銘) are both on the ballot.
At a Saturday rally, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) joined Lo, with Chiang praising Lo’s financial expertise, per UP Media. Lin is reportedly seeking support from Taiwan People’s Party Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), as the TPP has a strong presence in Hsinchu.
In central Taiwan, Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) and Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua (許淑華) are coordinating efforts for five KMT legislators in their districts. Taichung Legislator Yang Chiung-ying (楊瓊瓔) held a rally Saturday attended by Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), Mayor Lu, and Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin (鍾東錦), according to Tai Sounds.
The outcome of the recall elections carries particular weight for Chiang and Lu. A successful showing could bolster Chiang’s standing as a potential successor to Lu and strengthen Lu’s own prospects for leading the KMT in the future.
The nuclear energy referendum, also scheduled for Aug. 23, is another major focus — particularly for the TPP. The referendum asks whether the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant should be restarted if it passes a safety inspection.
While the KMT plans to cooperate with the TPP nationwide, it will concentrate efforts in its strongholds in northern and central Taiwan. A KMT insider told UP Media the party’s primary goal is to secure as many “yes” votes as possible.
For the referendum to pass, the number of “yes” votes must exceed 25% of the total number of eligible voters in the most recent presidential election. A successful result would, the insider said, send a clear message to President Lai that the public shares the opposition’s concerns about Taiwan’s energy policy.
Tensions between the KMT and TPP surfaced on July 28 when Nantou County Magistrate Hsu suggested voters consider casting “no” votes on both the recall and referendum ballots to avoid confusion, per Tai Sounds. TPP supporters swiftly criticized the comment, accusing her of undermining the referendum effort, per UP Media.
In response, Nantou County Government issued a statement on July 29 reaffirming Hsu’s support for nuclear energy and for reopening the Maanshan plant, pending a safety review, per ETtoday. The county said local campaign teams would distribute educational pamphlets to help voters understand the two separate ballots and reduce confusion.
