TPP chair Huang Kuo-chang eyes New Taipei mayor in 2026

Taipei, Aug. 11 (CNA) Huang Kuo-chang, chair of the smaller opposition Taiwan People's Party (TPP), confirmed Monday he will run for New Taipei mayor in 2026, setting the stage for a high-profile opposition battle in Taiwan's most populous city.

Huang, also one of the TPP's eight at-large lawmakers, answered "yes" on Monday during a livestream when asked by the host whether New Taipei is his primary goal after Feb. 1, 2026, when he steps down as a lawmaker due to the party's so-called "two-year clause."

"I will not do things I have no confidence in," he said. "I will make myself the best option."

Both at-large (elected based on a vote for political party) and directly elected lawmakers serve four-year terms, but the TPP has a rule that requires all at-large legislators to resign after two years on the job.

The rule, which party members voted to retain during the TPP's national congress on Sunday, is intended to give more party members lawmaking experience and enable former lawmakers to serve in other public positions.

The decision to keep the clause came despite opposition from many TPP supporters, who worried it could hurt the party's operations in the Legislature, given that most of its strongest public figures serve as at-large lawmakers.

The only TPP legislator who will remain in their post after February 2026 is Liu Shi-pin (劉書彬), who took office in mid-March this year.

"The TPP cannot hold on to its at-large seats forever, but must have many members scatter their seeds in many places," Huang said, describing his mayoral bid as an attempt to "secure a better fighting position."

Other TPP lawmakers, such as Chang Chi-kai (張啓楷), may follow suit, according to Huang, who argued that two strong opposition parties are needed for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to be defeated.

Huang emphasized that unseating President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in 2028 has always been one of his primary goals, and he has never ruled out working with the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's main opposition party.

"I'm always keeping the option open for friendly negotiations and am willing to talk to the KMT with sincerity, but I will respect the KMT's ultimate decision," he said.

Huang's remarks signaled the TPP's ambition to expand its presence in Taiwan's municipalities in 2026, following the example set by former TPP member Kao Hung-an (高虹安) when she won the mayor's race in Hsinchu City.

Kao, however, later withdrew from the party in July 2024 after being sentenced by the Taipei District Court to seven years and four months in prison and deprived of her civil rights for four years after being found guilty of corruption charges. She is currently suspended from her post while appealing the verdict.

The 2026 elections could serve as a test for the two opposition parties' growing alliance, especially in New Taipei if Huang does follow through on his pledge to run.

The city has been headed by KMT mayors over the past two decades, but the KMT will have to name a new candidate for 2026 as incumbent Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) completes his second term and cannot run again.

If both the KMT and TPP put up candidates, it could split the opposition vote and hand the city to a DPP candidate, but getting one party to drop their candidacy could prove difficult.

In response to Huang's potential bid for New Taipei mayor, DPP Legislator Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) said, "Now it's the KMT's turn to handle [the TPP]."