TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — KMT Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) may seek to work with TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) for the 2026 local and 2028 general elections, according to interviews and political sources.
In an interview with Nikkei, Lu revealed she is considering a bid for KMT party chair with backing from factions opposed to current Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫), per Tai Sound. Her chances of winning the chair may depend on how she strategizes for the 2028 presidential election.
Sources say Lu believes a coalition with the TPP is the only realistic path to consolidating non-DPP voters. She reportedly sees strategy and candidate coordination between the KMT and TPP as essential to regaining power at both local and national levels.
Lu’s thinking may also reflect lessons learned from the failed attempt to unify the opposition during the 2024 presidential race. Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) brought together Chu, KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜), TPP candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), and independent Terry Gou (郭台銘) in hopes of consolidating the anti-DPP vote, but the effort collapsed without a clear alliance.
Sources indicate Lu believes having a presidential candidate who does not concurrently chair the KMT may complicate cross-party cooperation.
A former high-ranking KMT official familiar with Lu said she originally sought to work with Ko, but discussions fell through after Ko was detained, making Huang the only alternative. Lu’s warm welcome of Huang, after he became TPP chair, stood in sharp contrast with Chu’s decision not to meet with Huang.
The same official noted that Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) is unlikely to run as a vice-presidential candidate, reducing the chance of a Han-Lu ticket. However, since Lu was the first major KMT figure to meet with Huang after he took office, speculation around a possible Lu-Huang partnership has grown.
Still, some in the KMT are skeptical. While no one questions Ko’s authority within the TPP, they argue Huang has yet to command the same level of influence. Sources say Lu’s openness to coalition talks stems from her political experience in Taichung, where KMT victories have depended on drawing centrist and TPP-leaning voters to beat the DPP.
Former DPP Legislator Kuo Cheng-liang (郭正亮), citing a recent Formosa poll, noted that support for the TPP rose by 6.3%, which he interprets as public approval of Huang's outreach to the KMT, per Storm Media.
Kuo added that while it's difficult for DPP voters to shift directly to the KMT, switching to the TPP is easier. He said the recent polling bump for the TPP likely reflects disillusionment among DPP supporters.
Kuo also urged the public not to underestimate the influence the TPP wields in today’s political climate. With KMT lawmakers facing recalls, the TPP’s ability to sway even 1% of voters could be decisive, he said.
In an interview on Sunday, Huang voiced support for the KMT’s efforts to counter DPP-led recall attempts. He criticized the DPP for contributing to Taiwan’s political division, per Newtalk.
