TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Democratic Progressive Party will begin its primary process Monday night with a landline telephone survey to determine its candidate for Kaohsiung mayor.
Legislators Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆), Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑), Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩), and Lin Tai-hua (林岱樺) are competing for the party’s nomination, per CNA. The DPP said three polling firms will conduct a landline survey from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday, with polling to end once 1,200 valid responses are collected.
Chiu’s rally Saturday night drew attention for featuring three magistrates and mayors affiliated with the Taiwan Forward faction, as well as figures linked to former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), per UP Media. The guest list was widely seen as a counter to Lai’s earlier rally, which highlighted politicians aligned with President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) New Tide faction.
Lin, whose campaign has been overshadowed by embezzlement allegations, addressed the controversy directly during a marathon event attended by Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) and the other three primary contenders. She questioned the timing of the investigation but reiterated her innocence.
Lin also commented on leaked personal communications that allegedly suggested an improper relationship with monk and family friend Shih Huang-chih (釋煌智), per ETtoday. She said the materials were leaked after prosecutors seized her cellphone and noted that none were included in the indictment against her.
Calling on prosecutors to disclose the source of the leaked messages, Lin warned they could otherwise be weaponized for political purposes. She also denied rumors that she might withdraw from the race, adding she would not leave the party or run as an independent as long as the primary process remains fair, per CNA.
Chiu commented on Lin’s challenges, saying party primaries should focus on policy rather than personal attacks, per FTV. Meanwhile, Chen’s interaction with Chiu during the marathon event sparked speculation after the mayor passed a relay baton to her, per CNA.
Chiu said the moment symbolized Chen passing on responsibility for governing Kaohsiung, while Lin countered that leading the city is a duty, not a symbolic gesture.
KMT Legislator Ko Chih-en (柯志恩), the KMT’s candidate for Kaohsiung mayor, criticized the notion of political succession, saying democracy has no concept of inheriting a legacy, per UDN. She said that aside from Lin, all DPP contenders have emphasized ties to current or former Kaohsiung mayors.
Ko acknowledged Kaohsiung’s long-standing support for the DPP but warned that the party has drifted from its original values after years in power.
KMT Legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) also weighed in, saying that the more competitive the DPP primary becomes, the greater the KMT’s chances of staging an upset, per China Times.
