The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is today expected to formally announce party Chairman William Lai (賴清德) as its presidential candidate for next year’s presidential election.
Lai, who is also the vice president, is expected to deliver a speech on Wednesday in which he would lay out his vision for his administration if elected, a source said.
As the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has yet to announce a candidate, Lai would focus on rallying support for his campaign in the interim, the source said.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
The focus of Lai’s campaign would likely be clarified after the DPP holds its National Congress in July, the source said, adding that a campaign office would also likely be established around that time.
“Lai’s main focus at the moment is still his job as party chair, and election matters are being handled in a low-key manner for now,” the source said.
As Lai is a member of the ruling party, and has been involved in diplomacy and other administrative matters, his campaign would likely focus on issues of immediate public concern, such as cross-strait relations, and Taiwan’s defense and security, the source said.
The DPP would endeavor to garner support through its party offices and headquarters, the source said, adding that it would also work with non-governmental organizations that are friendly to the party to expand public support for Lai.
The Taiwan Trust Friendship Association, which is headed by former Yilan County acting commissioner Derek Chen (陳金德), is expected to establish an office in Tainan on Wednesday to support Lai’s campaign there, the source said.
Lai formerly served as mayor of Tainan and has long had a strong support base there.
He is expected to attend the inauguration of the office in Tainan, the source said, adding that the association has plans to set up offices in other cities and counties in the coming months, which would meet weekly to discuss Lai’s campaign.
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