Lai to Team Up With Hsiao for 2024 Election? 與蕭美琴搭檔參選2024 賴清德未回應

DPP Chairperson William Lai attended former Pingtung County Magistrate Pan Meng-an's book launch on Feb. 9. Meanwhile, there are rumors that Hon Hai founder Terry Gou will be the KMT's candidate for next year's presidential election. KMT Chairperson Eric Chu said discussions will begin on the party's procedures for next year's presidential and legislative elections after the Nantou legislative by-election on March 4. 

DPP Chairperson and Vice President William Lai attended former Pingtung County Magistrate Pan Meng-an's book launch on Feb. 9. He reminisced about their times working together in the legislature and spoke about their rapport. He also confirmed for the first time that President Tsai Ing-wen offered Pan two very important positions while reshuffling the Cabinet, but Pan declined to join the Cabinet to keep helping Lai.

William Lai, Chairperson, DPP: “He declined to join the Cabinet in order to help me. The president offered him two positions, but I can't say what the two are.”

Pan Meng-an, Former Pingtung County Magistrate: “I don't know who he's going to team up with and I can't answer for him, but I will help him to run errands in the future when he's running. That's about it.”

Lai and Pan both declined to answer questions from the media about whether Lai will team up with Taiwan's rep to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-khim for the 2024 presidential election. Meanwhile, KMT Chairperson Eric Chu attended an event at the party's Hsinchu headquarters on Feb. 9. There are reports that Hon Hai founder Terry Gou will seek the party's nomination for the 2024 presidential election, and Gou has said he will wait until the KMT announces its procedures.

Eric Chu, Chairperson, KMT: “We welcome all non-green friends to come and support or join the KMT. This way, when all is said and done, we'll be able to work hard together for Taiwan, for the Republic of China.”

Chu said discussions will begin on the party's procedures for next year's presidential and legislative elections after the Nantou legislative by-election on March 4. Lai presided over his first meeting of local DPP chapter chairpersons on Feb. 8. According to reports, he wants to hold the primaries to decide on legislative candidates as quickly as possible, which may mean April to May.

民進黨主席、副總統賴清德9日出席前屏東縣長潘孟安的新書發表會，他細數兩人過去在立院共事的回憶，直言兩人情同手足，還首度證實總統蔡英文在內閣改組期間，曾託付兩個非常重要的職務給潘孟安，不過潘孟安為了幫他而沒有入閣。

民進黨主席賴清德指出：「這一次為了幫我，他沒有入閣，總統託付給他兩個職務，我不方便講哪兩個職務。」

前屏東縣長潘孟安回應：「這個我也不知道他要搭配誰，但我不能代替他回答，我只是未來在競選需要我的時候來當跑腿的，大概是這樣。」

面對媒體喊話，是否搭擋駐美代表蕭美琴爭取2024總統大位？賴清德沒有回應，潘孟安也沒有幫忙回答。不過國民黨主席朱立倫9日出席新竹縣黨部的新春團拜，也對鴻海創辦人郭台銘是否代表藍營角逐大位及郭台銘回應等國民黨的辦法等相關說法，做出回應。

國民黨主席朱立倫表示：「歡迎所有非綠的朋友來團結支持國民黨，或團結加入國民黨，最後我們都能夠一起來努力，為台灣、為中華民國打拚。」

對於總統跟立委選舉的相關辦法，朱立倫強調，會在3月4日南投補選後進行討論；而賴清德8日首度主持民進黨的全國縣市主委會議，據了解，對於立委初選的提名時程，賴清德希望盡快，外界推估時程可能落在4到5月間。