New Taipei City Mayoral Candidates to Face Off in Debate|新北市長選戰對決 侯.蘇將辯論交鋒

Hou You-yi, the Kuomintang's New Taipei City mayoral candidate, has agreed to change a political platform presentation scheduled for Nov. 12 to a debate. In response, Su Tseng-chang, his Democratic Progressive Party opponent, attacked Hou for only heeding public opinion now and described him as diffident and arrogant.


Kuomintang New Taipei City mayoral candidate Hou You-yi attended a campaign event accompanied by Tainan City Councilor Hsieh Lung-chieh and glove puppets. He also announced several upcoming rallies. Hou's opponent, Su Tseng-chang of the Democratic Progressive Party, previously attacked him numerous times for being unwilling to take part in a debate. On Nov. 7, Hou proposed changing a public political platform presentation scheduled for Nov. 12 to a debate.

He (Su Tseng-chang) is so eager to have a debate, and I have not declined any invitations. I have never feared going into battle. Since this is the case, he can say what he does not say privately during the public debate.

Hou added he has been saddened by numerous recent smear attempts, and he didn't want to be viewed as ashamed, so he agreed to a debate. In response, Su said Hou had dodged all previous debate attempts, and he has now been forced to change his stance and heed public opinion now that the election is only several weeks away. He described Hou as "completely insincere."

Hou You-yi is actually very calculating. Public opinion has now seen through his refusal to debate, his lack of confidence and his arrogance. This is why he finally changed his tune when pressured by public opinion and faced with opinion poll changes. However, he is very reluctant.

Su has made attempts to increase the profile of the debate, calling for it to be hosted by a television station without any thresholds. The New Taipei City Election Commission says it received an application from Hou's office to turn the presentation into a debate, and the two sides will first hold a coordination meeting to discuss the details.