TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), who also serves as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) chairman, announced Wednesday (Sept. 3) the formation of a "2026 Election Strategy Committee" to prepare for crucial local elections. Lai underscored the elections' critical importance to the party's continued governance and Taiwan's democratic future, urging party unity to identify qualified candidates and maintain public trust. The strategic move signals the DPP's early preparation for what many consider a crucial test of political standing.
Lai issued stern warnings to party members against engaging in behavior that could damage the party's public image or violate internal "Regulations for Nomination of Electoral Post Candidates" and Taiwan's "Public Officials Election and Recall Act." Veteran political strategists Chiou I-jen (邱義仁) and Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) will co-chair the powerful committee alongside prominent members including Wang Ting-yu (王定宇), Chang Hung-lu (張宏陸), Chen Mao-sung (陳茂松), Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄), Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜), Lin Yi-bang (林益邦), and Liu Wei-chun (劉維鈞).
The DPP's recent national congress passed a comprehensive special nomination ordinance for the 2026 mayoral and councilor elections, officially confirming competitive primaries in the southern strongholds of Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Chiayi County. The new ordinance significantly tightens anti-nepotism rules by strengthening the "relative within third degree of relationship clause" to exclude spouses and close relatives of current officials from weighted polling processes. Lai acknowledged that the government will thoroughly review its policy shortcomings and expressed hope that the DPP will continue progressing while facing upcoming electoral challenges together. ◼