KMT chairman urges Taichung Mayor Lu to take party helm

Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) on Saturday expressed his support for Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕), a potential 2028 presidential candidate, to succeed him, following the party's latest victory in a mass recall campaign.

"I sincerely urge Mayor Lu Shiow-yen to run for the position of the next KMT chairperson and take on the weighty responsibilities of leading the party" on its return to power, Chu said.

Chu made the remarks after all seven KMT lawmakers facing recall on Saturday survived their votes, marking another victory following the failed July 26 attempt to unseat 24 of its lawmakers.

He praised Lu for her "calm, pragmatic and warm leadership" which made her the kind of strength the KMT and Taiwan needs at this moment in time.

The KMT, Taiwan's main opposition party, is set to elect a new leader on Oct. 18, with candidate registration opening in early September.

Lu, who will reach the two-term limit in December 2026, is widely expected to seek KMT leadership and run in the 2028 presidential election, though she has remained cautious about both potential bids.

The KMT has 52 of 113 seats in the Legislature and, together with the Taiwan People's Party's eight seats, holds a majority.

The mass recall efforts, initiated by civil groups and backed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, failed across the board on July 26 and Saturday, a victory for the KMT.

● All 7 KMT lawmakers survive recall, opposition bloc keeps majority

"This is the moment for me to pass the baton," Chu said, expressing his confidence in Lu to guide the party's return to power in the 2026 mayoral and county magistrate elections, as well as the 2028 legislative and presidential races.