KMT Chair Eric Chu announced on Monday that he is willing to step down as party leader. His remarks clearly open the door for new leadership within the Kuomintang ahead of the party’s internal election in September. Chu stated he looks forward to passing the baton but pledged to stay committed to party affairs until his term ends.
Furthermore, Chu urged party members to focus on unity and to support lawmakers currently facing recall campaigns. He stressed that internal leadership battles should take a backseat to these more urgent matters. This call for solidarity reflects his desire to strengthen the party from within before the leadership changes.
Taoyuan Mayor Simon Chang quickly responded to Chu’s statement. He highlighted Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen as the most likely successor for the KMT chairmanship. According to Chang, Chu mentioned four capable mayors ready to take on more responsibility, but Lu stands out as the leading contender.
Additionally, Chu himself recognized Lu’s potential during his announcement. He expressed appreciation for the party members who support her possible candidacy. However, when approached for comments, Lu declined to discuss political issues during work hours, maintaining a focus on her current duties.
Meanwhile, Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan echoed Chu’s call for unity. She stressed the importance of prioritizing efforts to combat recall campaigns against KMT lawmakers. Chang warned that losing more legislative seats would weaken the party’s ability to monitor the ruling government effectively.
Moreover, Chang acknowledged that Chu remains eligible for re-election and welcomed healthy competition within the party. This openness suggests the party is ready to consider multiple candidates for leadership.
Hsiao Hsu-tsen, director of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, described Chu’s openness to running again as a pragmatic move. He cautioned that if Chu decides not to run, the party might face morale issues. This concern is especially relevant amid ongoing recall efforts and recent detentions of local KMT officials.
Hsiao added that ideally, the party chair should lead the presidential ticket. However, if no clear successor emerges soon, Chu might feel compelled to seek another term. He also emphasized that failure in recall campaigns would likely push Chu to step down permanently.
Finally, Hsiao warned that weakened local mobilization networks could hurt the KMT’s performance in both the 2026 local and 2028 general elections. The party’s future, he suggested, hinges on both leadership and grassroots strength.
In summary, KMT Chair Eric Chu opens door for new leadership but urges unity amid challenges. Party members now face critical decisions as September’s election approaches.
