This Week's Strongest Insider: KMT's Changhua Election in Trouble, Wei Ping-cheng Considered for Replacement? 'Green Brother' Once Heir Apparent Now Wandering, What Does Lai Ching-te Think?

As the 2026 unified local elections approach, both the blue and green camps are entering the final stages of their strategies. The KMT's situation in Changhua County, which was initially seen as favorable due to the eight-year governance foundation of incumbent County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei, has been marred by ongoing disputes since the primary stage. Legislator Hsieh I-feng has repeatedly clashed with the party central. Even after the KMT officially nominated lawyer Wei Ping-cheng, local integration has not progressed, causing grassroots anxiety and even calls for a replacement. On the other hand, the DPP will hold its National Party Representatives Conference on July 19, where the party's power core is expected to undergo a major reshuffle before the end-of-year mayoral elections. As various factions scramble to consolidate their positions ahead of the local elections, Lin You-chang, once seen as a potential successor within the DPP's mid-generation leadership and a former mayor of Keelung, interior minister, and DPP secretary-general, has been unusually low-profile. This article excerpt highlights four insider stories from this week's domestic political and military affairs. Please enjoy.