Yen Wei-tzu Lists Five Controversies Surrounding Lee Szu-chuan as He Falls Behind in New Taipei Mayoral Polls
The race for New Taipei mayor has shifted, with the Democratic Progressive Party's Su Chiao-hui overtaking the Kuomintang's Lee Szu-chuan in the latest poll — bad news for the Lee camp.
- The latest poll shows Su Chiao-hui leading with 37.8% against Lee Szu-chuan's 32.2%, a gap of about 5.6 percentage points.
- Lee Szu-chuan has been campaigning for 170 days, going from a double-digit lead to trailing, a sharp turn in the race.
- DPP New Taipei city councillor Yen Wei-tzu pointed to five controversies: a succession of missteps involving family background, policy, integrity, public works and online image.
- The controversies include an environmental dispute involving his younger brother on Xiaoliuqiu, shifting accounts of the source of funds for the purchase of a luxury apartment in Banqiao, and public works cases such as exorbitantly priced sunshades and rusting bus shelters.
- Lee Szu-chuan responded that he welcomes an investigation by prosecutors, said the purchase funds came from the couple's joint income and a mortgage on their old home, and accused the DPP of smearing him.
Outlook: Integrity and public works controversies will remain the focus of attack and defence in the near term, and whether Lee Szu-chuan can halt the slide and stabilise his support is a key point to watch in the race.