Signs of repair in the rift within Taiwan's opposition "blue-white alliance" are good news for the Kuomintang's prospects in Taichung, and a source of pressure for the Democratic Progressive Party.

• Ko Wen-je, founding chairman of the Taiwan People's Party, publicly stated that he personally supports the KMT's Chiang Chi-chen in the race for Taichung mayor.
• The remarks came at a public forum in Taichung, with TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang also present.
• The two parties had previously fielded their own candidates in Zhubei and Changhua, leading some observers to believe blue-white cooperation was falling apart.
• Ko noted that Chiang lost the KMT primary to Lu Shiow-yen by a very narrow margin eight years ago and has prepared thoroughly in the years since.
• He also threw down a challenge: let DPP candidate Ho Hsin-chun speak on stage for thirty minutes, and it will be obvious who understands Taichung better.

Outlook: The Taichung race may be shaping up early as a straight blue-white versus green contest, but coordination in other cities and counties remains unsettled.