Yeh Chu-lin registers to run for Penghu County magistrate, pledging NT$10,000 economic stimulus payment for every resident
The line-up for the Penghu County magistrate race is now set, with former Magong City mayor Yeh Chu-lin running as an independent. His platform centres on cash handouts and opposition to wind power — an inducement for county residents and a source of pressure for the other candidates.
- Yeh Chu-lin completed his registration on the final day of the sign-up period, pledging that if elected he would designate next year an "economic year" and hand out NT$10,000 in stimulus money to every resident of the county.
- He has framed the election as ordinary people against the privileged and big business, and is firmly opposed to installing wind turbines in Penghu.
- Another of his policy pledges is to complete construction of an incinerator during his term to deal with the county's waste problem.
- Six candidates have now registered for the Penghu County magistrate election, spanning the Democratic Progressive Party, the Kuomintang, the Taiwan Solidarity Union and several independents, making for a fragmented and hotly contested race.
Outlook: The large field of candidates will dilute the vote, and the cash pledge and anti-wind-power stance are likely to become the main points of contention in the campaign ahead.