Shen Boyang vows permanent public listening in final soapbox speech before Taipei mayoral election

At a "soapbox" event held today in Zhongshan and Datong Districts under the slogan "Mayor, Listen to Me," Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Boyang reiterated that this would be his final opportunity to engage directly with citizens in this format during the current election. Shen stated that if elected, he would not discontinue the practice of "standing on a soapbox to listen to public opinion," promising to continue holding similar events in various districts to allow residents to voice their needs and suggestions at any time. This commitment highlights Shen’s emphasis on "direct dialogue" and suggests that he intends to integrate this approachable communication style into his governance strategy.

Soapbox events have become a distinctive form of political interaction in local elections in Taiwan. Candidates set up a simple platform in public spaces, stand on it to deliver speeches, and answer questions from the audience in real time. This method breaks away from traditional party propaganda models, enabling voters to ask candidates questions directly in a relatively relaxed atmosphere and receive immediate responses. Shen has utilized soapbox events multiple times in past elections, successfully narrowing the gap with voters and garnering significant support by using "listening to the public" as his campaign slogan.

The timing of this soapbox event coincides with the eve of the Taipei mayoral election, a period when voter attention to candidates' policies is at its peak. Particularly on issues such as urban development, transportation, and social welfare, Taipei residents are eager for more transparent and direct opportunities for dialogue. During the event, Shen reaffirmed that if elected, he would continue to promote the "public opinion box" and other mechanisms for gathering public sentiment in municipal administration, ensuring that policy formulation truly reflects the needs of citizens. This pledge has been viewed by many, both inside and outside the DPP, as a concrete implementation of the "public-first" philosophy.

In the same event, Shen also mentioned the upcoming mayoral debate. Regarding the debate schedule, he expressed a willingness to be open to suggestions and encouraged the public to attend on the day of the debate. The debate is considered a crucial platform before the election, allowing voters to gain a clearer understanding of candidates' stances and solutions on major issues. Shen's remarks before the debate served as both an endorsement of the debate format and a call for voter participation, emphasizing that elections are not one-way propaganda but rather a two-way dialogue.

Overall, Shen's statements at the soapbox event reflect the core theme of "public participation" in the Taipei mayoral race. Whether through soapbox events or debates, he aims to incorporate the voices of voters into policy discussions, positioning this as a core competitive advantage of his campaign. If he ultimately wins the election, Shen's promised continuation of soapbox events and public opinion boxes could potentially enhance the transparency and level of participation in Taipei's municipal governance, providing citizens with more opportunities for direct dialogue. This approach may also set a new standard for public opinion collection in future local elections.

(Source: Central News Agency)