TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) registered his candidacy for the position of party chair at the KMT’s party headquarters in Taipei on Friday.
Registering on the final day to enter the race, Hau carried a banner with the with the character for “selfless,” saying this was what motivated him to enter the race, reported UDN. Hau pledged to be a uniting force in the party and added he will not seek the party's nomination to run for the presidency in 2028.
Hau said he would join the race for party chair in early September. He added that, if elected, he will work to maintain the KMT’s coalition with the TPP.
Hau criticized the Lai administration, blaming the the president for worsening cross-strait relations and for creating social unrest with the Great Recall campaign. Has also criticized the government’s efforts to negotiate tariffs with the US and said the ruling DPP’s position on nuclear power presents a national crisis.
Hau Long-bin is seen as the most likely candidate to be elected party chair. However, he enters a crowded field against five other candidates including:
- Legislator Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強)
- Former legislator Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文)
- Former magistrate of Changhua County Cho Po-yuan (卓伯源)
- Sun Chien-ping (孫健萍), a member of the party’s Central Standing Committee
- Chang Ya-chung (張亞中), a politician scientist and professor
The election is scheduled for Oct. 18.
