TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The National Association of Retired Police Officers (全國退警總會) called Thursday (Sept. 11) for Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) to seek the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) chairmanship amid growing pressure for new leadership within the ranks of Taiwan's main opposition party. The influential police retiree organization expressed confidence that Fu could guide the party to electoral success in upcoming local and presidential contests. Their endorsement signals mounting support for the Hualien legislator's potential candidacy within key party constituencies and reflects broader dissatisfaction with current leadership.
Keng Chi-wen (耿繼文), the association's president, announced plans to visit Fu with senior members to formally endorse his potential candidacy for party leadership positions. Keng praised Fu's instrumental role in amending police personnel regulations that benefited retired officers and his significant contributions to Hualien's economic development over recent years. The president's backing represents a crucial endorsement from law enforcement veterans who maintain considerable influence within KMT circles and could sway other party factions.
Keng characterized Fu as the most dynamic KMT legislative leader in the party's history, praising his strategic acumen and exceptional communication abilities. The association president emphasized Fu's proven capability to navigate the party's severe financial constraints, particularly following government asset freezes that crippled operations. Keng stressed that Fu's leadership would prove essential for the 2026 local elections and 2028 presidential race, arguing that recent recall failures underscore the urgent need for a blue-white alliance between opposition parties.
Fu addressed the mounting candidacy speculation that day, acknowledging sustained encouragement from party members throughout the past two months of internal discussions. He expressed appreciation for support from colleagues including Chang Ya-chung (張亞中) and Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) while diplomatically suggesting Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) as the optimal candidate. Fu emphasized the KMT's ongoing struggles against the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) and stressed that party unity remains essential for success in approaching electoral contests. ◼