Will Lu Hsiu-yen run in 2028? Lo Chih-chiang says 'intra-party competition is good' and urges DPP members to rise up and replace Lai Qing-te

Speculation over the 2028 presidential election is heating up early, with attention focused on whether Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen will establish a campaign office after stepping down. This has sparked discussion about a potential intra-party rivalry with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. KMT legislator Lo Chih-chiang stated today (1) that it is positive for any party to have multiple capable individuals eligible for top positions, and redirected his remarks toward the DPP, encouraging its members to 'replace Lai Qing-te and rise up collectively.'

Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin, in a recent interview with media personality Huang Kuang-chin, was asked whether Lu Hsiu-yen would move into a 2028 campaign office after her term ends on December 25. Cheng did not confirm directly but said the team has heard all well-intentioned suggestions and will respond accordingly, stating, 'We won’t disappoint the public.' He described the relationship between Lu and Chiang as 'sibling-like,' noting communication exists between their political decision-makers and staff levels.

At a press conference titled 'No More Lies! KMT Did Not Cut Business District Subsidies,' Lo Chih-chiang was asked whether Lu’s camp releasing signals about a 2028 run could be seen as 'taking advantage of Chiang' (a play on 'eating tofu'), given Chiang is currently viewed as a leading KMT candidate for 2028.

Lo responded that it is beneficial for any party to have multiple strong candidates for key roles. He sarcastically added that some also hope highly regarded Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai might consider positioning himself as an alternative to Lai Qing-te to rescue the DPP’s electoral prospects, though he quickly added, 'I wouldn’t say that myself.'

Lo recalled the intense 2019 DPP presidential primary, where then-President Tsai Ing-wen and Lai Qing-te clashed fiercely, 'cutting each other to the bone.' He argued that multiple potential candidates within the KMT should not be interpreted as division.

He criticized Lai Qing-te’s current administration as 'off-key and undemocratic,' accusing it of attempting to paralyze the legislature and comparing Lai to former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. Lo urged capable DPP members to step forward, saying, 'Let everyone replace him; let all rise up.'

Regarding recent KMT discussions about a vote of no confidence in the cabinet, Lo stated the core issue remains public concern over food safety due to the tainted oil scandal. According to the DPP’s own standards in past major food safety incidents, Premier Cho Jung-tai should take political responsibility.

Lo said Cho should either resign voluntarily out of shame or face a no-confidence motion in the legislature under constitutional procedures. He emphasized that the government’s failure to prevent carcinogen-contaminated oil from entering the market warrants condemnation, stating, 'By the DPP’s own standards, the Cho cabinet should step down.'