The ruling Kuomintang (KMT) is urging solidarity amid concerns of a mass exodus of its members.
Former KMT lawmaker Chang Sho-wen recently announced that he had quit the party in order to run for legislator as a member of the People First Party. Three other KMT lawmakers have also said that they may quit.
KMT caucus Deputy Whip Lin Te-fu said on Wednesday that he has not yet heard about a mass exodus from the party. He said that perhaps some KMT lawmakers have differing viewpoints. But he urged solidarity among members, saying that they should stick with the party when it’s at a low point.
The KMT suffered a blow in local elections last November, and party heavyweights were unwilling to throw their hats in the ring in the 2016 presidential elections.
There have been rumors that many party members are choosing to leave because they believe the party’s presidential candidate, Hung Hsiu-chu, will be a liability for them. That’s because of Hung’s China policy, which gives the impression that she is in favor of unification with China.
However, Lin said that Hung is doing well in opinion polls and that the party will definitely endorse her in a national convention later this month.