Pan-blue supporters at a rally yesterday said that former Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) is the best candidate if the KMT wants to win next year’s presidential election, and demanded that the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) hold a fair and open primary.
A small crowd gathered in front of the KMT headquarters in Taipei yesterday morning, led by Liao Sheng-fang (廖盛芳), chairman of the Tainan Han Supporters’ Association.
Liao and the group criticized KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) for not holding a party primary, saying it was “unfair” to nominate the party’s presidential candidate by special committee and accusing Chu and party top officials of “autocratic rule.”
Photo: CNA
They waved flags and set up placards which read: “Han Kuo-yu for president,” “Say no to war, we want Peace” and “KMT must conduct a primary.”
KMT officials are expected to chose either New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) or Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou (郭台銘).
“For the presidential race, we need a strong leader, a man who can fight battles — a fighter jet of a warrior to lead the KMT to victory,” Liao said.
“We met with Han last month, and he praised his many ‘die-hard’ fans for not quitting... We asked Han to run again for president, and he did not say no, but his silence meant he was giving his tacit approval,” Liao said.
“This shows Han is a real gentleman, he does not want to fight to gain the presidential candidacy... But by not conducting a primary, the KMT has denied him a chance,” he said.
Liao urged the KMT to set up a primary process, with 60 percent of votes coming from public polls and 40 percent from voting by party members.
KMT spokesman Alfred Lin (林家興) said that all party members have agreed to unite and support the party’s nominated presidential candidate.
“Our party will take into consideration the results of public polls, and opinions expressed by party members — all of these will be considered as references for the nomination,” Lin said.
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