TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The chair of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) announced his candidacy for New Taipei Mayor stirring speculation on an electoral coalition between the TPP and KMT. 

When asked to comment on Saturday, current New Taipei Mayor You Yu-ih (侯友宜) welcomed anyone who will sincerely work for the people New Taipei to run for the office, reported CNA. Hou’s diplomatic response did not offer a firm endorsement for Huang, and he added that a mayor should “talk less and do more.” 

Hou will complete his second term as New Taipei Mayor in 2026. He cautioned any potential candidate that New Taipei is a vast area of over 4 million people, with many disparities between rural and urban social environments.

Huang, who currently leads the eight-person TPP caucus in the Legislative Yuan, plans to step down from his seat in February 2026. This will be in line with the party’s self-imposed two-year term limit on party list legislators.

Municipal elections in Taiwan will be held in November 2026. As the KMT has not yet announced a candidate for New Taipei, Huang’s early announcement has sparked speculation of potential electoral alliance between the TPP and KMT. 

The KMT is currently preparing for party elections to pick a new chair, and some KMT supporters have criticized Huang’s announcement as pre-mature, coming at an opportune time, reported UDN. Huang and the TPP announced earlier this year that they would plan to target all six of the special municipalities in the 2026 local elections. 

Huang’s ambition was well-received by TPP supporters, but it will present a test for the opposition coalition, which currently holds power in the Legislative Yuan. Some pundits have described Huang’s move a making an initial wager for electoral support from the KMT, with New Taipei as a major bargaining chip, per UDN.