TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The KMT and TPP will hold a joint policy forum on March 13 ahead of local mayoral elections, focusing on New Taipei, Yilan County, and Chiayi, where the two parties plan to jointly endorse candidates, CNA reported.

On Monday, the two parties met to discuss coordination for local elections in the three regions, including joint policy proposals and rules for jointly endorsed candidates.

Attendees included KMT Deputy Secretary-General Lee Che-hua (李哲華), National Policy Foundation Deputy Director Wu Yi-ting (吳怡玎), KMT Culture and Communications Committee Director-General Yin Nai-chin (尹乃菁), TPP Secretary-General Chou Yu-hsiu (周榆修), TPP Policy and Strategy Department Executive Director Lai Hsiang-ling (賴香伶) and TPP legislative caucus leader Vicky Chen (陳智菡).

Lee said the two parties have reached a preliminary agreement on a framework for joint policy proposals. The meeting also focused on selecting polling agencies and setting timelines for surveys to determine jointly endorsed candidates.

Lee noted the KMT will approve its mayoral nominees for New Taipei, Yilan County, and Chiayi City at a party committee meeting on March 11. The party will then coordinate with the TPP or use polls to jointly put forward candidates.

Earlier this month, KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) said the party will support Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an (高虹安) in her bid for re-election. Kao was accused of corruption while serving as a legislator and was sentenced to more than seven years in prison in the first trial. She was temporarily suspended as mayor and left the TPP but was reinstated at the end of last year after being acquitted on appeal.

Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan (李四川) is reportedly a potential KMT candidate for the New Taipei mayoral election. TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) also plans to run. Huang said he would consider joining Lee’s team if he is not chosen as the jointly endorsed candidate.

KMT Legislator Wu Tsung-hsien (吳宗憲) may run for Yilan County magistrate. In the party’s internal polls, he outperformed Chang Sheng-te (張勝德), the county speaker. Meanwhile, former TPP Legislator Chen Wan-hui (陳琬惠) has also declared her candidacy.

In February, Cheng said the KMT may nominate cardiologist Weng Shou-liang (翁壽良) as its candidate for Chiayi City mayor. Weng served as campaign director in Chiayi for former TPP Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) during his presidential bid before joining the KMT. The TPP, meanwhile, plans to run former Legislator Chang Chi-kai (張啓楷) for the position.