TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said Tuesday he would negotiate with the KMT in good faith in the upcoming New Taipei mayoral election, stressing the need for cooperation and respect.

Huang, who has already declared his candidacy, made the remarks after Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) signaled he may run if called upon by the KMT, per CNA. Huang called Lee a respected elder with valuable experience and said he welcomed the chance to work with him.

On broader KMT leadership, Huang said he would respect the outcome whether Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) seeks another term or a successor takes over. He pledged that once the KMT begins formal planning for the 2026 local elections, the TPP would engage to help field the strongest candidates.

If cooperation is possible, he said, the two parties share a responsibility to support the strongest candidates and campaign for each other in local contests, per UDN.

When asked if he would directly approach Lee, Huang said the deputy mayor was busy with Taipei city affairs and remained a key aide to Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安). He added that his priority was to prepare himself to be the best choice for voters, building on New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih’s (侯友宜) foundation.