TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) on Wednesday rejected speculation that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) is backing a preferred candidate in the party’s Kaohsiung mayoral primary.
Chiu was responding to rumors that Lai may favor fellow DPP lawmaker Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) in the race, per Tai Sounds. She said Lai Ching-te denied having any intention to designate the party’s nominee and would stay out of the primary process.
Chiu also pointed to her own history with Lai, saying they have known each other for more than 30 years. Also, she had been entrusted with assignments abroad on his behalf.
The DPP’s Kaohsiung primary is currently a four-way contest between Chiu, Lai Jui-lung, Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑), and Legislator Lin Tai-hua (林岱樺). The DPP’s factional politics have resurfaced as the Kaohsiung mayoral race intensifies.
According to Formosa Chair Wu Tzu-chia (吳子嘉), Chiu is backed by the Taiwan Forward faction and Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), while Lai Jui-lung and Hsu are supported by New Tide, per Storm Media. Wu noted that although Lin is reportedly leading in early polling, her lack of strong factional support makes her vulnerable in what he described as a faction-dominated nomination process.
Lin is backed by the Taiwan Normal Country Promotion Association, which is thought in some quarters to be under internal pressure from Lai Ching-te's administration, per Newtalk.
Wu suggested that Hsu enjoys the backing of legislative colleagues, while Lai Jui-lung has support from factional heavyweights. Despite Chen serving as mayor, he argued that key elements of New Tide still control Kaohsiung’s political machinery and are reluctant to lose their hold on the city.
Wu also speculated that Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an (潘孟安) may have been behind the rumor that Lai Ching-te is endorsing Lai Jui-lung, potentially as part of a plan to expand his influence within New Tide.
Meanwhile, two Kaohsiung city councilors affiliated with Taiwan Forward surprised observers by backing Hsu. In addition, Hsu publicly denied rumors that New Tide had pressured him to step aside in favor of Lai Jui-lung.
A senior Taiwan Forward insider told UDN that the faction’s support for Chiu remains firm, and the city councilors' endorsements should not be overinterpreted. Chiu, for her part, said she maintains good relationships with all DPP factions in Kaohsiung.
Chiu stressed her intention to learn from the leadership style of former Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊), a key figure in the New Tide faction. She also emphasized her long-standing relationship with Chen Chi-mai, who played a major role in former President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) faction.
When asked about legal issues facing Lin, Chiu declined to comment but criticized media outlets for focusing on unrelated personal matters. She added that discussions about consolidating Lin’s support are premature.
