TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former legislator Shen Fu-hsiung expressed his take on TVBS TV program Situation Room on Tuesday (Oct. 31) in regard to the recent national debate of a potential joint ticket between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) as the 2024 presidential election looms ahead.
Shen said TPP candidate Ko Wen-je is ready to partner with KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih, though he is still grappling with the decision.
Shen noted Ko is concerned about a popularity decline if he accepted the joint ticket; to maintain a stronghold for his presidency, Ko will kick off a 30-day tour around the island, delivering speeches while paying tribute to TPP founding member Chiang Wei-shui, a pivotal figure in pushing forth democracy in post-war Taiwan.
While this move helps to sustain his popularity, Shen supposes it could be a way for Ko to kill time, and added that both KMT and TPP would mutually benefit should this be the final outcome.