With Taiwan's nine-in-one local elections approaching, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) have set up a joint campaign headquarters in New Taipei City, marking the first 'blue-white alliance' integrated opposition camp of this election cycle.
According to reports from Taiwan's United Daily News and Wind Media, KMT candidate for New Taipei Mayor Lee Sze-Chuan inaugurated the joint campaign headquarters and support committee on Saturday (June 6) together with TPP founding chairman Ko Wen-je and current chairman Huang Kuo-chang.
Previously, Huang Kuo-chang had been nominated by the TPP in February this year to run for New Taipei Mayor. However, he lost to Lee Sze-Chuan in the KMT-TPP mayoral primary poll held in April, after which he withdrew from the race and shifted his efforts fully to supporting the campaign. The establishment of this joint campaign headquarters officially signals that both parties have entered a phase of substantive cooperation.
During the founding ceremony, Lee Sze-Chuan stated in an interview that this election is not just about KMT-TPP cooperation, but also demonstrates a cross-party determination to work together for New Taipei's development. He pledged to join hands with the TPP to win the New Taipei mayoral race and to do his utmost to support TPP candidates in the city council election, hoping the TPP would form a caucus in the council.
Ko Wen-je described the event as 'an important milestone in party development.' He remarked that while people often talk about the 'blue-white alliance,' what is really needed is a 'coalition government.' Reflecting on the failed 2024 presidential 'blue-white alliance' attempt, Ko identified the main reason for failure as a lack of consensus between the two parties on common policies and poll-related details.
Ko Wen-je said that cooperation is not only a matter of culture but also requires the establishment of workable systems. Therefore, he hopes that starting with New Taipei, the collaboration and coordination between Huang Kuo-chang and the KMT can gradually build a political culture and enduring system for coalition government across Taiwan.
Huang Kuo-chang noted that when Lai Ching-te was elected president, he had promised to employ talent regardless of party and promote coalition governance, but has since never mentioned it and instead continuously fostered division and discord. This, said Huang, is why the TPP and KMT hope to actively push for coalition governance through a formal agreement and fight together for shared beliefs.
At the founding event, TPP councilor Chen Shih-hsuan presented Lee Sze-Chuan with a 'Jensen Huang leather jacket,' wishing Lee to become an outstanding CEO of New Taipei and, like seeking Nvidia's support, to win more developments for New Taipei. Huang Kuo-chang also gifted his new book 'Moving Toward the Light' to Lee, thanking him for stepping up at a crucial moment.
Regarding the blue-white alliance, DPP New Taipei mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui stated that a progressive New Taipei is colorful and naturally welcomes a diversity of voices. She also expressed hope that New Taipei, as a grand stage, would allow all kinds of opinions to be presented, discussed, and ultimately form a consensus among everyone.
Aside from New Taipei, the TPP has also decided not to nominate a candidate for Changhua County Magistrate.
Previously, Huang Kuo-chang had been nominated by the TPP in February this year to run for New Taipei Mayor. However, he lost to Lee Sze-Chuan in the KMT-TPP mayoral primary poll held in April, after which he withdrew from the race and shifted his efforts fully to supporting the campaign. The establishment of this joint campaign headquarters officially signals that both parties have entered a phase of substantive cooperation.
During the founding ceremony, Lee Sze-Chuan stated in an interview that this election is not just about KMT-TPP cooperation, but also demonstrates a cross-party determination to work together for New Taipei's development. He pledged to join hands with the TPP to win the New Taipei mayoral race and to do his utmost to support TPP candidates in the city council election, hoping the TPP would form a caucus in the council.
Ko Wen-je described the event as 'an important milestone in party development.' He remarked that while people often talk about the 'blue-white alliance,' what is really needed is a 'coalition government.' Reflecting on the failed 2024 presidential 'blue-white alliance' attempt, Ko identified the main reason for failure as a lack of consensus between the two parties on common policies and poll-related details.
Ko Wen-je said that cooperation is not only a matter of culture but also requires the establishment of workable systems. Therefore, he hopes that starting with New Taipei, the collaboration and coordination between Huang Kuo-chang and the KMT can gradually build a political culture and enduring system for coalition government across Taiwan.
Huang Kuo-chang noted that when Lai Ching-te was elected president, he had promised to employ talent regardless of party and promote coalition governance, but has since never mentioned it and instead continuously fostered division and discord. This, said Huang, is why the TPP and KMT hope to actively push for coalition governance through a formal agreement and fight together for shared beliefs.
At the founding event, TPP councilor Chen Shih-hsuan presented Lee Sze-Chuan with a 'Jensen Huang leather jacket,' wishing Lee to become an outstanding CEO of New Taipei and, like seeking Nvidia's support, to win more developments for New Taipei. Huang Kuo-chang also gifted his new book 'Moving Toward the Light' to Lee, thanking him for stepping up at a crucial moment.
Regarding the blue-white alliance, DPP New Taipei mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui stated that a progressive New Taipei is colorful and naturally welcomes a diversity of voices. She also expressed hope that New Taipei, as a grand stage, would allow all kinds of opinions to be presented, discussed, and ultimately form a consensus among everyone.
Aside from New Taipei, the TPP has also decided not to nominate a candidate for Changhua County Magistrate.