Lu Show-yen backs independent councilor Hsu Hsuan-feng, calling for pan-blue alliance.

Taichung Mayor Lu Show-yen endorsed independent City Councilor Hsu Hsuan-feng outside the city council on the 13th, stating on the spot that she has always adhered to the principle of "forging broad connections and making many friends" since entering politics. She added that anyone with shared ideals and aspirations can be included in the pan-opposition coalition, expressing hope that through unity and cooperation, public opinion can be more comprehensively represented. Mayor Lu's remarks not only affirmed Councilor Hsu's personal political stance but also revealed her anticipation for the integration of opposition forces.

Since first being elected Taichung mayor in 2018, Lu Show-yen has belonged to a relatively moderate faction within the Kuomintang. During her tenure, she has repeatedly emphasized cross-party cooperation, particularly in public infrastructure and pandemic prevention policies, having previously invited the Democratic Progressive Party and other local factions to participate, thereby shaping a "friendly party" image. This open political posture has earned her a certain level of favorability among local voters, while also leaving room for her potential future nationwide political deployment.

Hsu Hsuan-feng is an independent member of the Taichung City Council. In past elections, Hsu has campaigned on personal branding and local services without receiving nomination from any political party. Within the council, Hsu frequently focuses on supervising administration and promoting community welfare, occasionally coming into conflict with the ruling party's policies while also finding room for cooperation. Hsu's independent status allows for a "bridge" role in local politics, facilitating mediation between different camps. Securing formal support from the pan-opposition coalition would enhance Hsu's competitiveness in future elections.

The pan-opposition coalition is a loose alliance formed in recent years by Taiwan's opposition forces to counter the ruling party. Its members include diverse political parties such as the Kuomintang, the New Power Party, and the Taiwan People's Party, as well as several independents. The core philosophy of the coalition is "unity, cooperation, and speaking with one voice," aiming to integrate resources and prevent vote splitting to increase the proportion of seats held by the opposition camp in the Legislative Yuan and local elections. Mayor Lu's public appeal that "anyone who is a friend with shared ideals is part of the pan-opposition coalition" echoes the internal cohesion of the alliance and demonstrates her willingness to extend her personal political resources to a broader opposition platform.

Mayor Lu's endorsement of an independent councilor holds symbolic significance for the upcoming local elections. First, it sends a message of "cross-party cooperation" to voters, which may weaken traditional voters' partisan stereotypes. Second, if the coalition can systematize such individual cases, it will help form a more competitive opposition camp within electoral districts, posing a substantive challenge to the ruling party. On the other hand, the mayor's actions may also spark discussion within the Kuomintang, as an overly open cooperation strategy might touch upon conservative factions' concerns regarding party unity. Overall, this move is not only a local-level political interaction, but also an example of how political parties and independent politicians coexist and complement each other within Taiwan's pluralistic democratic environment.

Mayor Lu's remarks and actions highlight the trend of opposition forces seeking new forms of cooperation on Taiwan's political stage, and remind voters that when facing elections, beyond partisan labels, they should pay attention to whether candidates possess the ability to coordinate across boundaries and represent the people. If the coalition can continue to center around "unity and cooperation" in the future, it may bring more diverse voices and choices to Taiwan's political ecology.