Taiwan President Tsai appoints Chen Chi-mai as acting DPP chief of staff

Kaohsiung Mayor Wins Re-election
Emerges as DPP Chairmanship Candidate

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Following the defeat in the November 26 local elections, Tsai Ing-wen, who resigned as the chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has reportedly decided to appoint Chen Chi-mai, the mayor of Kaohsiung, as the acting chairperson of the DPP.

According to Taiwan media such as United Daily News, President Tsai's faction has nominated Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai for the position of acting DPP chairperson. The DPP Central Standing Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting on the 30th to finalize this decision. Foreign media noted that attention is focused on whether Mayor Chen, who was re-elected, will also run in the upcoming chairperson election.

President Tsai's faction is expected to view Mayor Chen as the only alternative to consolidate party leadership and will likely put him forward as a candidate. Currently, candidates for the DPP chairperson include Su Jia-chyuan, former Legislative Yuan Speaker and chairman of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Council, Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan, and Keelung Mayor Lin Yu-chang. However, Su faces family-related issues, and the two incumbent mayors are facing criticism over their responsibility for failing to secure re-election.