Meeting Between Chiu and Chang Postponed at Last Minute 「邱奕勝正主持會議」 張善政取消拜會行程

Taoyuan City Council Speaker Chiu Yi-sheng is reported to be upset about the Kuomintang's nomination of former Premier Simon Chang as its Taoyuan City mayoral candidate. Chiu broke days' of silence, admitting he was a bit surprised upon hearing the news, but said he also believed Chang is the most qualified candidate.

The Kuomintang Central Committee's surprise nomination of former Premier Simon Chang as its Taoyuan City mayoral candidate has sparked backlash within the party. Central Standing Committee member and Taoyuan City Council Speaker Chiu Yi-sheng quit the KMT's LINE group in protest. After several days of silence, he presided over a council meeting on May 24. He also requested borough chiefs willing to continue supporting the KMT to remain.

Chiu Yi-sheng, Speaker, Taoyuan City Council: “(Can you comment on the wave of grassroots borough chiefs quitting the party? Do you know about this?) I would ask these borough chiefs to remain and continue working for this party. (And you personally?) Nothing has changed, I haven't made any changes.”

Chiu admitted that he was astonished by the nomination, but he also realized that the party's chairperson has the authority to nominate mayoral candidates. Meanwhile, Chiu lauded Chang's achievements, saying he is the most qualified out of the candidates.

Apollo Chen, Former Legislator (KMT): “I think the speaker showed goodwill. He also praised Premier Chang for being excellent, and asked everyone not to quit the KMT and to support the KMT and Premier Chang together.”

Chang was scheduled to visit the Taoyuan City Council at 11 a.m., but the visit was postponed at the last minute. Chiu said they were in communication, but he was busy presiding over a meeting so they decided to meet at a more opportune time. Meanwhile, former KMT Legislator Apollo Chen said Chiu has shown goodwill to repair fissures in the party, which is a great start.

國民黨中央日前突然宣布張善政參選下屆桃園市長，引爆黨內風暴，退群組抗議的中常委、市議會議長邱奕勝，神隱數日後，24日現身主持市政總質詢議程，也拜託願意繼續支持國民黨的里長還是留下來。

面對記者提問是否了解有部分基層里長退黨潮，邱奕勝說：「我要拜託那些里長繼續留下來，為這個黨來打拚，我個人還是一樣 沒有做任何改變。」

邱奕勝坦言，聽到宣布徵召張善政第一時間很錯愕，不過提名市長候選人本來就是主席的權利，也表示以張善政資歷在目前這麼多候選人當中，他是最好的一位。

國民黨前立法委員陳學聖則說：「我覺得議長有釋出善意，也誇獎張院長非常的優秀，然後也請大家不要退出國民黨，一起來支持國民黨，支持張院長。」

只是張善政原本預訂11時拜訪桃園市議會，卻臨時喊卡，說到雙方取得聯繫後，邱奕勝表示正在主持會議，將另尋時間見面暢談，張善政是否碰了軟釘子，陳學聖則認為，邱奕勝已釋出善意了，針對黨內裂痕弭平，這是好的開始。