Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, in his capacity as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, has called on the entire party to concentrate its efforts on preparing for the year-end local elections — a positive signal for the ruling party's morale and a source of pressure for the opposition camp.

• The nine-in-one local elections are set for November 28, less than three months away.
• Lai has asked candidates and party officeholders not to over-interpret shifts in the election landscape, and to respect the pace set by each city and county campaign headquarters.
• This week is the registration period for local candidates, and the party has asked them to move into their constituencies immediately to canvass for votes.
• The strategic emphasis is on face-to-face contact at markets, night markets and temple squares, rather than on polling numbers alone.

Outlook: Over the next three months the DPP will go all out on grassroots mobilisation, and the temperature of the race will not become clear until registration closes.