KMT Elder Fan Chen-tsung Says Party Chairman Bears Ultimate Responsibility For Defeat

The development of local autonomy and party politics in Taiwan often influences the reorganization of central power and the shifting alliances of local factions. As Taiwan's tech hub and a fiercely contested battleground, Hsinchu County has always attracted intense scrutiny regarding its electoral race. It is not only the frontline of clashes among the Blue, Green, and White parties, but also a litmus test for the internal power structures of various political parties. Former Hsinchu County Magistrate Fan Chen-tsung has publicly endorsed Kuomintang (KMT) Hsinchu County magistrate candidate Hsu Hsin-ying—who has deep background ties despite running as an independent or under another affiliation—and bluntly stated that if the KMT loses this election, Party Chairperson Cheng Li-wen should bear the ultimate responsibility. This harsh remark not only pushes the electoral tension in Hsinchu County to its peak, but once again sparks profound discussions in Taiwan's political arena regarding party-responsible politics and the integration of local factions.

Looking back at the political landscape of Hsinchu County, it has traditionally exhibited a structural advantage for the pan-Blue camp over the pan-Green camp. However, the KMT is fractured by numerous internal factions, and the integration of local forces has never been an easy task. As a heavyweight veteran in Hsinchu County politics who has previously served as magistrate and held various key positions, Fan possesses a profound political foundation and influence locally. His decision to publicly step forward and endorse Hsu reflects the anxiety of local political heavyheads regarding the party central's nomination strategy and electoral deployment. Fan's outspoken remarks that Chairperson Cheng must shoulder the blame as the primary culprit in the event of a defeat in the Hsinchu County mayoral race highlight the grassroots challenge to the central leadership's authority, as well as an extreme regard for electoral outcomes.

Faced with the severe accusations and questions of accountability from the local political veteran, KMT Chairperson Cheng subsequently responded by emphasizing that during the campaign assistance process, "I certainly used all the strength I had." This brief and down-to-earth response demonstrates the party central's level of investment in the Hsinchu County election, while also revealing the helplessness and grievances felt by the party chairperson when facing immense pressure from local factions. In Taiwan's party politics, the party chairperson is often viewed as the ultimate person responsible for electoral success or failure. Whenever a major local executive election is lost, the resignation of the party chairperson to take responsibility has almost become the norm. This political culture forces party chairpersons to endure tremendous pressure from all sides when confronting local nominations and integrations.

The reason why the Hsinchu County mayoral race is so tense involves not only the KMT's internal integration issues, but also the catalytic effect of the broader macro-environment on the election. With the Hsinchu Science Park effect driving a massive influx of migrant populations, the voter demographic in Hsinchu County has undergone significant changes in recent years, with traditional clan and factional mobilization capabilities gradually facing challenges from the emerging middle class and tech professionals. Against this backdrop, a candidate's personal traits, policy vision, and political party brand image have all become critical factors in determining victory or defeat. If the party central fails to effectively integrate local factions, or if nomination strategies fail to gain grassroots recognition, it often results in vote-splitting, thereby handing victory over to opponents on a silver platter.

Fan's harsh criticism undoubtedly drops a bombshell on the KMT's electoral prospects in Hsinchu County. This is not merely a contest for a single county magistrate seat, but is also tied to the overall morale of the KMT and Cheng's leadership credibility. If the final election results fall short of expectations, dissenting voices within the party questioning the party central will inevitably erupt fully, subsequently affecting future political deployments. Conversely, if the party manages to narrowly or decisively win, these internal discords and blames will dissipate accordingly, and the party chairperson's leadership position will be consolidated. The development of this electoral battle once again testifies to the historical rule of Taiwan's local elections that "factions make you, and factions break you," while also testing political leaders' coordination and adaptability within a complex political web.