KMT looks ahead to December 2010 elections

Taipei County will be the top prize at stake because it has close to 3 million eligible voters who can determine the outcome of the presidential election in 2012.

The ruling Kuomintang (KMT) sustained a setback after the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) retook northeastern Yilan County in Saturday's local elections.

The new elections set for December next year will cover the capital Taipei City and seven other major cities and counties — Taipei County, Taichung City and County, Tainan City and County, Kaohsiung City and County — which will be upgraded or merged into special municipalities with the same status that is currently held by Taipei City and Kaohsiung City next year.

There will be 10 million eligible voters involved in the elections affecting the five new and consolidated administrative districts, more than the combined 7 million voters for the elections held on Saturday.

Mayors and members of the city councils in the five areas will be held simultaneously.

The KMT presently controls Taipei City, adjacent Taipei County, and Taichung City in central Taiwan while the DPP rules in southern Kaohsiung and Tainan districts.

Both parties have started preparations for the upcoming new battle.

KMT leaders were confident of retaining both Taipei City and Taichung City since incumbent Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin and Taichung Mayor Jason Hu still command wide support.

But they also acknowledged that they were more concerned about the situation in Taipei County.

With a total population of 3.85 million, Taipei County with about 2.7 million boasts the highest number of eligible voters in all other areas in Taiwan.

Incumbent Taipei County Magistrate Chou Hsi-wei already made public last month his intention to run for the new position.

He said yesterday that the KMT should hold primaries as early as possible to formally select a nominee for the crucial election battle.

Chou presently does not enjoy support as strong as other younger and rising political stars in the party. But he stressed that the nomination should be made through the democratic process by the people.

Other possible KMT aspirants that are thought to be suitable to join the race on behalf of the party in Taipei County, which Chou's administration named “New Taipei City,” include Vice Premier Eric Chu who formerly served as a lawmaker and Taoyuan County magistrate.

Other candidates that may be recommended include Taichung Mayor Jason Hu.

Among local political figures, KMT lawmaker Lin Hung-chih also expressed interest in seeking the party's nomination.

There are growing speculations that the DPP may draft incumbent Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen and former Premier Su Tseng-chang to run either in Taipei City or New Taipei City.

Tsai once served as a vice premier while Su formerly served two terms as Taipei County magistrate. But Su is also seen by many as a possible presidential candidate in 2012.

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