President Lai rallies Tainan for record votes, backing VP Hsiao Meikin.

Chen Ting-Fei, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate for Tainan City Mayor, officially held the inauguration ceremony for her campaign headquarters in Tainan. This political event marks not only a significant milestone in the local election but also demonstrates the DPP Central Committee’s high regard and full support for the Tainan race. The top party and government leaders, including President Lai Ching-te, who also serves as DPP chairman, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, and Premier Guo Tai-mer, all attended the rally in the historic city to endorse Chen. In his speech, President Lai praised Chen’s solid record of long-term grassroots work and publicly set high expectations, urging her to not only win the fiercely contested election but to aim for the highest vote share among all county and city mayoral elections nationwide. This reflects the DPP’s strong ambition and united spirit to maintain its governance in Tainan, the birthplace of the democratic movement.

As a traditional stronghold of the DPP and the origin of Taiwan’s democratic movement, Tainan’s election results and margin of victory have historically served as key indicators of the party’s momentum and grassroots strength. President Lai, a former Tainan mayor, holds deep emotional and political ties to the city. His personal visit to hand over the campaign flag and issue a mobilization order for the highest possible vote share carries significant political symbolism. This expectation is not only an affirmation of Chen’s governance and service capabilities but also a rigorous test for the entire DPP public office team in Tainan. In the current electoral landscape, breaking past voting records, consolidating the green camp’s base, and expanding support among moderate voters have become the core strategic goals for Chen’s camp. The high-profile support from the central governing team undoubtedly injects a strong boost into the local election prospects.

Beyond President Lai’s personal presence, the joint attendance of Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and Premier Guo Tai-mer highlights the comprehensive strategic layout of this rally. Hsiao, who also enjoys high popularity and deep grassroots connections in Tainan, helps attract the attention of younger generations and female voters. Meanwhile, Premier Guo, leading the heads of the administrative team, emphasizes the government’s track record to declare a vision of integrated governance between the central government and local authorities. By featuring this "golden lineup" of the President, Vice President, and Premier on the same stage, the DPP demonstrates a seamless commitment to governance between the center and local levels. The party aims to convey to voters that only by supporting the DPP-nominated mayoral candidate can Tainan ensure maximum resource injection from the central government for future major infrastructure projects and urban transformation.

Chen has extensive experience in Tainan’s political arena, rising from a grassroots legislator to a member of the Legislative Yuan. Her diligent image, cultivated through years of local work, is deeply rooted in the public mind. The campaign headquarters inauguration was flooded with supporters, with a sea of flags and continuous cheering, demonstrating strong grassroots mobilization capabilities. Facing competition from within and outside the party, Chen’s team used this large-scale rally to integrate local factions and support from various sectors, creating a united atmosphere for victory. The highest-vote-share target set by President Lai is both a great honor and encouragement for Chen, but also a heavy responsibility. It compels the campaign team to maintain high alertness and precision in policy discourse, organizational mobilization, and issue-based debates, without any room for relaxation.

From a macro perspective on Taiwan’s local autonomy and national election trends, the outcome of the Tainan mayoral election is not only about the continuation of the DPP’s governance but also influences the political landscape of the 2026 national county and city mayoral elections. As the DPP seeks to solidify the democratic defense line in southern Taiwan, Tainan’s vote share will directly impact party morale and overall strategic layout. By calling for the highest vote share during this rally, President Lai is not only expressing trust in Chen but also sending a signal to voters nationwide, emphasizing that the DPP remains united and dedicated to public service despite various challenges. With the official establishment of the campaign headquarters, Chen’s election campaign will enter a full sprint phase. How effectively to combine central government policy benefits with her personal local achievements to persuade Tainan citizens to cast a vote of trust will be the key to achieving the high vote share target. (Source: CNA)