2026 ELECTIONS/Shen holds 1st Taipei campaign motorcade; Chiang urges debate coordination

Taipei, Oct. 11 (CNA) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen (沈伯洋) held his first campaign motorcade in the capital on Sunday, while incumbent Kuomintang (KMT) Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) urged Shen's camp to discuss arrangements for a televised election debate or debates.

Shen's motorcade event started in Datong District on Sunday afternoon and drew thousands of supporters, some of whom followed the procession on scooters, carrying campaign banners.

In Taiwan, campaign motorcades are a common feature of local elections, allowing candidates to greet voters along neighborhood streets while serving as a public show of support for them.

Accompanied by his supporters, Shen arrived at Dalongdong Baoan Temple, a local Taoist temple and religious center, where he was greeted by crowds of wellwishers.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the motorcade, Shen reiterated his call for four debates, saying a single event would not allow enough time for detailed discussions of individual policy issues. He also said his campaign would send staff to Monday's coordination meeting.

Earlier Sunday, Chiang was asked about Shen's proposal to hold four debates during an event in Taipei. The DPP candidate had made the proposal to Chiang in person when the two met at a temple event in Wanhua District on Saturday evening.

Chiang said the focus should be on actually holding debates, rather than turning them into a campaign talking point, adding that calling for more debates did not necessarily mean winning an election.

He said both camps have agreed in principle to broadcaster TVBS holding a televised debate or debates and signed consent forms, with the broadcaster scheduled to meet representatives of both sides on Monday to discuss the details.

Chiang said his campaign team would attend and urged Shen's representatives to do the same.

Taiwan's 2026 local elections will be held on Nov. 28.

The elections are also known as the "9-in-1" elections because voters in Taiwan's 22 cities and counties will cast ballots for candidates vying for nine different local government posts, including city mayors, county magistrates, and city and county councilors.

Also up for grabs are seats for township chiefs and chiefs of Indigenous districts in municipalities, township councilors and Indigenous councilors in municipalities, and ward chiefs. In total, elections will be held for 11,051 officials at all levels of local government.