TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) has voiced support for younger candidates in the Kuomintang’s leadership race, while reiterating his criticism that the party’s older generation has been unwilling to step aside for new voices.
Lee said age itself is not the issue, but emphasized that if a person’s values or thinking no longer align with broader society, it may be time for them to make way for younger figures, per Storm Media.
He added that while fundraising is an important responsibility of the KMT chair, leadership ability should be the priority. A chair who can rally public support would naturally resolve fundraising challenges, he argued.
Shortly after making these remarks, Lee faced criticism for expressing openness to running for New Taipei mayor if polling showed he was the strongest candidate. Critics said this contradicted his advocacy for generational change.
Former KMT Secretary-General Lee Chien-lung (李乾龍) defended him, saying Lee Shu-chuan was stressing the need to select the most capable candidate regardless of age, per Liberty Times. He added that unity across generations is essential for the KMT to overcome future challenges.
KMT Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫), who has reportedly urged Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) to run for re-election, said the party should be led by “someone who the KMT base most desires,” per UP Media.
Former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), widely speculated as a contender for party chair, recently visited former KMT Chair Wu Po-hsiung (吳伯雄), per ETtoday. Wu played a key role in returning the party to power during the 2008 presidential election.
Hau said many in the party are looking for a “Wu 2.0” figure to lead the KMT back to power. Wu noted that both he and Hau had served as Taipei mayors and that neither had sought the presidency.
Lu responded to Hau’s social media post referencing Wu, fueling speculation she may be signaling support for Hau in the chair race.
Seven individuals have formally declared their candidacies: Legislator Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強), Sun Yat-sen School President Chang Ya-chung (張亞中), Central Standing Committee member Sun Chien-ping (孫健萍), former Changhua County Magistrate Cho Po-yuan (卓伯源), former Legislator Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文), former Deputy Secretary-General Chang Ya-ping (張雅屏), and Changhua County Council Speaker Hsieh Dian-lin (謝典林).
