The Kuomintang (KMT) nomination for Taichung mayor has yet to be decided. One of the contenders, Taiwan Legislative Yuan Vice President Johnny Chiang Chi-chen, posted late Sunday night (February 1) on social media, stating that he has already signed the nomination agreement issued by the KMT Central Committee.
In his Facebook post, Chiang wrote, “Today is February 1. Mayor Lu Shiow-yen called for the candidate to be decided before the end of January, but that is now impossible. As I work tirelessly in the grassroots, I am faced with constant questions and unceasing encouragement from the local supporters. I can feel everyone’s anxiety and uneasiness, and their growing impatience and dissatisfaction is obvious. All I can do is respond with a smile and do my best to reassure them.”
He said that he has repeatedly and publicly expressed respect for the KMT Central Committee and hopes that the candidate can be decided as soon and as early as possible. In mid-December last year, the party headquarters began soliciting dates for coordination. It was not until January 16 this year that the first coordination took place, but unfortunately, it broke down. Subsequently, incumbent Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen once again expressed hopes that the nomination would not be delayed beyond February 19.
Chiang emphasized, “Our common goal is to provide supporters with peace of mind and to unite everyone. I hope that intra-party democratic competition will be the starting point for unity, not confrontation, but succession.”
He pointed out that although he has not yet received notice of a second coordination meeting, the KMT Central Committee has already sent the agreement proposal to both parties (him and the other contender, Legislator Yang Chiung-ying). Although the process cannot be completed by February 19 as suggested by Mayor Lu, and there is a considerable gap with his own expectation of making the decision as soon as possible, he remains committed to upholding his promise to respect the Central Committee.
In his post, Chiang announced that he had signed and agreed to the terms set out by the KMT Central Committee, and is willing to let the competition be guided by the system, let the outcome be determined by democracy, and let unity remain with Taichung.
According to earlier Taiwanese media reports, on January 16, the KMT Central Committee invited both Johnny Chiang and veteran legislator Yang Chiung-ying, who are vying for the Taichung mayoral nomination, for a coordination meeting, but they ultimately failed to reach consensus.
Last Sunday (January 25), Chiang said he was notified that a second coordination meeting would be held on February 6, with the specific time to be decided by the Central Committee. On the same day, Lu Shiow-yen, when interviewed at an event, said she hoped the nomination for Taichung mayor would ideally not be later than February 19, otherwise it would impact the campaign schedule.