TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The KMT may announce its timetable for the party’s leadership election on July 31, with Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) widely seen as the favored candidate.
KMT Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) said in May he would step down by October, with candidate registration to begin in August and the election to follow in September. A party insider told ETtoday that Chu’s plan followed party regulations, which cannot be changed without broad internal consensus.
However, with a second round of legislative recall elections scheduled for Aug. 23, registration may be postponed. The insider noted that if Lu formally declares her intent to run and requests a rescheduling, party leadership would likely accommodate her.
Some within the party, including KMT Legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) and senior member Jaw Shau-kong (趙少康), have argued the party should prioritize anti-recall efforts, per Liberty Times. Others are pushing for Chu to step down sooner.
Former KMT Secretary-General Lee Chien-lung (李乾龍) warned that if Chu remains as chair, the party risks further setbacks, per UDN. KMT insiders told UDN that although Chu’s “Operation Patriot” campaign helped retain all 24 targeted seats in the July 26 recall elections, his broader recall strategy against DPP lawmakers weakened the party’s grassroots network in several municipalities.
Several names have been floated as potential successors. Some party members reportedly tried to persuade former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to return as chair, per Tai Sounds.
However, Ma Ying-jeou Foundation Director Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑) said Ma has no interest in retaking the position. Hsiao added that the failed KMT-TPP alliance ahead of the 2024 presidential election underscores the need for future party leaders to also be presidential candidates if they hope to unseat the DPP in 2028.
Despite speculation, Taichung KMT Chair Yen Wen-cheng (顏文正) denied claims that Lu is not interested in the race, per UP Media. He said that since the election schedule has not yet been finalized, it is premature to discuss her candidacy.
A party insider told Tai Sounds that Lu’s delay may be due to difficulties securing a secretary-general and a rumored plan to appoint former Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) as interim chair. The move, the insider said, would mirror the strategy used by Ma, who won the presidency in 2008 while entrusting party leadership to a close ally.
Some insiders speculate that reports of Lu’s hesitancy and Chu’s lack of interest in reelection reflect a strategic clash between factions within the party. A source close to Lu noted that with five KMT legislators in central Taiwan facing recall elections on Aug. 23, she is unlikely to make any announcement before then.
Even if Lu enters and wins the leadership race, she may face internal competition. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安), whose profile has risen since the recall campaign began, is viewed by some as a potential rival, per Tai Sounds. However, sources close to Chiang denied the speculation, saying he is focused on seeking reelection in 2026 and has no plans to run for party chair.
