Chen Already Immersed in Election Preparations? 傳陳時中選北市? 蔣:不該為選舉離開崗位

Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung has not been regularly appearing at the CECC's daily press conference, which has sparked rumors that he's preparing for the mayoral election.

Kuomintang Taipei City mayoral candidate Chiang Wan-an posed for photos with supporters as he campaigned on June 29. His rumored rival, Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung, hasn't been regularly appearing at the Central Epidemic Command Center's daily press conference. Many believe he is preparing to declare his candidacy for Taipei City mayor. Chiang said Chen, who is also the commander of the CECC, should not shirk his actual responsibilities because of an election.

Chiang Wan-an, KMT Taipei City Mayoral Candidate: “Right now, the number of new daily cases is still around 40,000. The number of single-day deaths is still over 100. However, Chen Shih-chung has abruptly quit his disease prevention work because of the election. He needs to explain himself to the people. ”

There are reports that Chen's wife has given her approval for Chen to run for mayor. However, Chen denied these reports. He also said disease prevention and health are still his primary focuses.

Reporter: “Have you made a decision on whether you're running? ”
Chen Shih-chung, Health & Welfare Minister: “No, it's not time yet. When the time comes, I'll tell everyone.”

Taipei City Deputy Mayor Vivian Huang has not declared her candidacy either. Recently, she was accused of violating administrative neutrality by blue and green city councilors. She attended a council meeting on June 28 but did not offer any clues as to when she will resign. The year-end elections are approaching, but some political parties have not yet announced their mayoral candidates for Taipei and New Taipei City. The Democratic Progressive Party legislative caucus said decisions must be based on personal wishes, qualifications, and the chances of winning.

勤走基層搏感情，國民黨台北市長參選人蔣萬安出席活動，合照來者不拒，近來衛福部長陳時中不再固定出席防疫記者會，也被外界解讀是要轉往備戰首都。對此，蔣萬安批評，身為防疫指揮官，不應該為了選舉，離開工作崗位。

國民黨台北市長參選人蔣萬安表示：「現在我們每日確診數，都還是在4萬上下，單日的死亡人數都還是破百，（陳時中）卻為了選舉突然要離開防疫的工作崗位，這要如何跟人民交代？」

另一方面，外傳太太已經點頭支持陳時中參選，陳時中上午也親自回應，沒有這回事，防疫與衛生還是他現在最主要的任務。

記者問：「心態上準備好要選舉了嗎？」衛福部長陳時中回應：「沒有，我想都還沒有到的事情，我們就時間到了會跟大家報告。」

尚未表態參選台北市長的，還有北市副市長黃珊珊，近來捲入行政不中立風波，面對藍綠議員高分貝質疑，黃珊珊28日赴議會報告時，仍未鬆口辭職時間點。隨著年底九合一選舉腳步逼近，雙北市長人選何時底定？民進黨立院黨團回應，必須考慮到個人意願、個人對此職務準備，以及勝選率，綜合評判才能決定。