The planned KMT–TPP joint ticket in Zhubei has collapsed, a setback for Taiwan's opposition parties hoping to unseat the ruling DPP.

• The Taiwan People's Party said its cooperation deal with the KMT for the Zhubei mayor race has fallen apart.
• Former TPP lawmaker Li Chen-hsiu, who just registered to run for Zhubei mayor, said the infighting is damaging her own party and questioned its leadership.
• TPP chairman Huang Kuo-chang accused the KMT of breaking its word; KMT chair Cheng Li-wun said the two sides simply read the local race differently.
• Li urged both camps to calm their supporters and refocus on beating the DPP, arguing there is no 2028 win without a strong 2026.

Outlook: Expect more public friction between the two opposition parties as candidate registration closes and other local races test whether the alliance holds.