Lai Jui-long leads DPP to council majority to secure green energy projects

Amid the fervor of the 2024 local elections, Kaohsiung, the largest city in southern Taiwan, has once again become a political focal point. The Kaohsiung mayoral race has been a core battleground for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) since 2018, with former Mayor Chen Chi-mai enjoying broad support both within and outside the party and successfully securing re-election in 2020. This election is not only about local governance but also serves as a test of the party’s direction on national political trends. Lai Ji-lung, a former vice mayor and senior figure within the DPP, assumed the role of "mother hen" at the weekend inaugural meeting of the campaign headquarters for multiple DPP city councilor candidates in Kaohsiung. This symbolic gesture indicates his commitment to fully assisting party colleagues in consolidating the party’s local base.

At the meeting, Lai emphasized that victories for city councilors are crucial for future municipal administration. The city council serves not only as the core institution for reviewing budgets and enacting local regulations but also as the platform for implementing the mayor’s administrative will. If the DPP secures a majority of seats in the council, it will significantly reduce administrative resistance, enabling Kaohsiung to more smoothly implement long-term plans in areas such as infrastructure, public transportation, and environmental governance. Adopting the "mother hen" persona, Lai stated that he would facilitate election training, fundraising, and voter outreach for the councilor candidates through coordination, communication, and resource integration, thereby ensuring the party’s dominant position in the local legislature.

As a former vice mayor, Lai led several major construction projects during his tenure. He promoted the "Kaohsiung Port Expansion Plan" to enhance international trade competitiveness and participated in the planning and implementation of the "Kaohsiung Metro Line 3" to further alleviate traffic congestion within the city. In this election, he reiterated his intention to combine central and local resources to continue driving Kaohsiung’s development. Lai noted that the central government plays a key role in budget allocation and policy formulation, while the local government is responsible for execution and oversight. Through this two-way cooperation, he hopes to achieve key milestones of the "Kaohsiung Urban Renewal Plan" in the short term while laying the foundation for future energy transition and green infrastructure.

With only 34 days remaining until election day, Lai is in the final phase of mobilization. The voter structure in the southern electoral district is diverse; younger voters pay close attention to technological innovation and environmental issues, while older voters place greater importance on social welfare and medical resources. Lai stated at the meeting that he would collaborate with community volunteers, youth groups, and local enterprises to create a "Kaohsiung Co-creation Platform." Through diverse messaging and practical services, he aims to enhance the party’s affinity with voters. Meanwhile, the party is coordinating with the central party headquarters to ensure adequate promotional resources and policy support during the election period, preventing an imbalance in the information war against opponents such as the Kuomintang (KMT).

If Lai Ji-lung is successfully elected, he will face the challenge of maintaining municipal stability in Kaohsiung while advancing more forward-looking policies. Kaohsiung has been designated as a "Smart City" pilot zone, where the application of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and digital governance will be accelerated. Concurrent challenges include an aging population, energy supply security, and cross-regional coordination. At the meeting, Lai mentioned that he would prioritize "central-local synergy" to drive long-term initiatives such as "Kaohsiung Green Energy Transition" and "Smart Transportation." By leveraging the DPP’s majority in the city council, he aims to ensure the implementation of policies and the transparency of fund utilization. This is not only a promise to the citizens of Kaohsiung but also has implications for the national political landscape, as the political trajectory of Kaohsiung often foreshadows the distribution of national political power.

In summary, Lai Ji-lung’s attendance at the inaugural meeting of the Kaohsiung city councilor candidates’ campaign headquarters symbolizes the DPP’s...