Lai Backs Chen Suyueh to Win Central Taiwan via Green Energy

On the 31st, President Lai Ching-te, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), attended a rally in Changhua to officially endorse Chen Su-yueh, the DPP candidate for Changhua County Magistrate. In his speech, President Lai emphasized that the stability of the nation and society relies on the excellent governance of county magistrates and city mayors. He pointed out that all the mayoral and magistrate candidates nominated by the DPP are "exceptional choices," and called on the public to unite in support of DPP candidates in the Central Taiwan region—comprising Taichung, Changhua, and Nantou—to ensure that policies are implemented locally and bring greater well-being to the people. This remarks not only served as an endorsement of Chen but also highlighted the president's active role in local elections.

Chen has years of political experience, having previously served as a legislator, and is well-versed in policy communication channels between the central and local governments. During her tenure in the Legislative Yuan, she gained a strong local reputation for promoting agricultural subsidies, transportation infrastructure, and social welfare. Running for Changhua County Magistrate this time, she stated that her campaign will focus on "sustainable development" as its core theme, aiming to strengthen the agricultural industry chain, improve the quality of public services, and integrate the central government's green energy policies to drive Changhua forward on a path where environmental protection and economic growth are mutually beneficial. Her background and political track record provide the DPP with a candidate capable of practical implementation for these local elections.

The Central Taiwan region—covering Taichung, Changhua, and Nantou—is a core area of particular focus in the DPP's electoral strategy. Historically, this region has largely been a stronghold of the Kuomintang (KMT); however, in recent years, demographic shifts and industrial transformation have diversified the political orientation of voters. With high concentrations of both industry and agriculture, voters in the central region are particularly sensitive to employment, land, and environmental issues, making the area a focal point of competition among political parties. For the DPP to break through the KMT's traditional advantages in this region, it must simultaneously address both urban and rural needs and convince voters with a concrete governance blueprint.

In the broader context of local elections, Lai Ching-te's role as party chairperson is particularly crucial. Since the party reorganization in 2022, the DPP has been committed to a "grassroots-first" approach, emphasizing the alignment between local governance and central government policies. President Lai's appearance at the rally was not only a personal endorsement of Chen but also a message to the entire party that "local victory is total party victory." The DPP's vote share in central Taiwan has fluctuated over the past two local elections. Securing multiple mayoral and magistrate seats in the central region this time would help boost the party's political footprint nationwide and lay the groundwork for future legislative and presidential elections.

If Chen is ultimately elected, she will become a crucial bridge for the DPP in central Taiwan, helping the central government advance various policies, including smart agriculture, public infrastructure, and social welfare. The successful execution of local administration can not only enhance public trust in the government but also provide empirical proof for the implementation of the party's policies, further influencing voters' evaluation of the party at the national level. Conversely, the KMT continues to emphasize appeals for "preserving traditional values" and "economic stability" in this election. Competition between the two sides is expected to intensify further in the campaign activities over the coming weeks. (Source: Central News Agency)