Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice presidential candidate Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) yesterday paraded through Taipei to stump for the party’s legislative candidates, as well as non-DPP candidates that the party supports, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from supporters along the way.
Driving through crowds of supporters who waved flags, cheered and exploded firecrackers on a pickup truck protected with bulletproof glass, Chen and the candidates supported by the party waved to the crowd, showing each of their numbers on the ballot to urge the crowd to support them.
Setting out from the front entrance of National Taiwan University, Chen accompanied independent candidates Lee Ching-yuan (李慶元) and Billy Pan (潘建志), New Power Party (NPP) candidate Freddy Lim (林昶佐) and DPP candidates Pasuya Yao (姚文智) and Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) on a parade that traversed the city from south to north.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
“We are pleading for your support for the DPP for at-large seats and for the DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文). As for constituency representation, please support the good DPP nominees and those [non-DPP] candidates endorsed by the DPP,” Chen said to the onlookers.
Speaking to the media during the campaign event, DPP Taipei City chapter director Huang Cheng-kuo (黃承國) said that the election outcome is looking good for the party in Taipei, which is traditionally considered a KMT stronghold.
“Right now, we are certain [together with the DPP’s allies] to win two seats, we might take a third seat and could even win four seats,” Huang said.
Asked if the DPP is under pressure because some of its at-large votes might go to other friendly parties, Huang said that competition between different parties is normal, but added that the DPP would still urge its supporters to cast their at-large ballots for the DPP.
There are eight constituencies in Taipei, with the DPP currently holding only one seat.
For the upcoming legislative elections, the DPP has nominated two candidates in the city, while endorsing six other candidates who are independent or affiliated with the NPP, the People First Party and the Social Democratic Party.
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