Free Lectures" The contemporary significance of the Taipei mayoral election

◎ Chen Qinong

Shen Boyang was nominated by the Democratic Progressive Party as the candidate for mayor of Taipei. Since entering the election campaign, he has shown clear reasoning, clear plans for Taipei's municipal government, and his personal affinity. In addition to his experience and academic qualifications, he is actually above Chiang Wanan. However, given Chen Shui-bian's impressive political achievements and his eventual defeat by Ma Ying-jeou, the mayoral election in Taipei this time does have great epochal significance.

Shen Boyang's clear reasoning, clear plans for Taipei's municipal government, and his personal affinity, coupled with his experience and academic qualifications, are actually above Jiang Wanan. The picture shows Shen Boyang. (File photo)

Whether Taipei City can wash away the bad reputation of "Chinatown", this mayoral election is the key. In the past, as long as you were from another province, you could win the support of the majority of citizens without having to consider the conditions at all. We hope that Taipei citizens can get rid of the "provincial mentality" and elect a mayor who can truly bring glory and happiness to Taipei City.

Please read on...

Secondly, it is also a framework for testing the "party-state thinking". In the past, the candidates for county and mayor, the Kuomintang, were all specific candidates and candidates with special relationships. Just like Jiang Wanan claims to be a descendant of the Chiang family. Although this may not be true, he is a typical "party-state candidate" after all. The body is covered with the shadow of political strongmen. In the past, politics longed for strongman politics, as if the people were eager for governance and needed candidates promoted by the party-state to become suitable candidates for mayor. Therefore, this time is also an excellent opportunity to confirm the determination of the citizens.

Able to abandon the "party-state mentality", do not just trust in origin and background, but trust in personal conditions, and select truly capable candidates in the spirit of democracy.

Chen Shui-bian's political performance was outstanding, but he was eventually defeated by Ma Ying-jeou. This mayoral election in Taipei City has great significance for the times. The picture shows the Taipei City Government (file photo)

The most important thing is that Taipei City is the face of the country and the center of Taiwan's development. It needs a mayor who truly loves Taiwan and has the correct national identity. Among the two candidates for mayor, who will truly protect Taiwan and will not be ambiguous with the CCP? This is also a very important condition for becoming the mayor of the capital.

(The author is a political commentator)