Taiwan's opposition alliance between the KMT and the TPP has broken down over the Zhubei mayoral race, a setback for both parties heading into local elections.

• The KMT and TPP failed to agree on a joint candidate in Zhubei, with both sides now running their own people.
• TPP founder Ko Wen-je publicly pressed party chair Huang Kuo-chang to explain what was agreed, warning that voters' anger cannot be switched off on a leader's say-so.
• Huang accused the KMT of breaking trust, saying it burned down a forest for the sake of one tree.
• Ko pointed to a signed agreement in the KMT's own Zhubei primary and said the damage needs to be repaired quickly.
• KMT chair Cheng Li-wun has not contacted Huang since the talks ended, deepening the rift.

Outlook: Unless the two chairs meet soon, the opposition looks set to split its vote in Zhubei and possibly other races.