Image Credits: New Bloom Magazine
With just 50 days remaining before the pivotal recall vote on October 13, prominent figures from Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) have converged in Keelung to rally support for the embattled mayor, Xie Guoliang. On August 24, a significant number of KMT county mayors, including Taichung’s Lu Xiuyan, Nantou’s Xu Shuhua, and Lianjiang’s Wang Zhongming, joined forces with Xie in a series of high-profile events aimed at galvanizing voter opposition to the recall effort.
The campaign began with a visit to Keelung’s Sheng’an Palace, followed by a local dining experience at Zhongshan District’s Wandering Head, known for its Shantou beef noodles. The KMT leaders emphasized their commitment to supporting Xie, who they argue has been unjustly targeted by the recall initiative.
Lu Xiuyan, a native of Keelung, underscored her personal connection to the city, recounting her educational background and past residence there. She defended Xie against the recall, citing his proactive measures to reclaim city-owned properties that were improperly registered under private names. Lu highlighted that Xie has successfully defended his actions in court on four separate occasions, reinforcing her stance that his administrative decisions are legally sound.
Lu also criticized the recall process, noting that the law allows a small minority—just 25% of voters—to potentially remove a mayor who enjoys the support of the majority. She urged Keelung residents to vote against the recall to prevent a minority from overturning the will of the larger electorate.
Xu Shuhua further bolstered Xie’s position, urging voters to recognize that the recall is not merely a personal dispute but a matter of property rights and justice for Keelung’s residents. She pledged that Xie, if retained, would continue to scrutinize and address issues left by previous administrations.
This recall vote is a significant political event in Taiwan, reflecting broader tensions and factional dynamics within the island’s political landscape. The intense mobilization by KMT figures underscores the high stakes involved in this local political contest, which could influence the party’s standing and future strategies in the region.