Taiwan’s KMT opposition party picks New Taipei mayor Hou Yu-ih as presidential candidate
- Hou will face Vice-President William Lai and potential third party spoiler Ko Wen-je in January’s contest
- He defeated Foxconn boss Terry Gou in an internal party process and his first task must now be to unite the mainland-friendly party behind him
“Based on the scientific proofs and the level of support by the KMT’s mayors and magistrates as well as lawmakers, I hereby solemnly announce that our comrade Hou Yu-ih will take part in the 2024 presidential election,” said party leader Eric Chu Li-luan after a KMT meeting on Wednesday to decide its candidate.
Chu, who was Hou’s predecessor as mayor, described the candidate as a “justice promoter with experience and a macro perspective in terms of leadership”.
He said he believed Hou would be able to unite the party and work for the interests of Taiwan and the well-being of its people if elected president.
In response, Hou thanked party members for their support and stressed he would do his best to unite the KMT, ease cross-strait tensions, offer hope and a future to young people in Taiwan and, most importantly, lead the KMT back to power in 2024.