Taiwan's local elections next month are shaping up as a bruising proxy fight, with critics warning the ruling party is using the vote to set up its 2028 presidential bid.

• A commentator claims the ruling party is pouring money and political muscle behind its Taipei mayoral candidate, treating this local race as a dry run for the next presidential election.
• The sitting Taipei mayor is accused of being out-funded by wealthy backers behind his opponent, though supporters point to landing Nvidia's Taiwan headquarters as a strong selling point tied to the island's AI ambitions.
• Critics allege activist groups aligned with the ruling party intimidate opponents and go after critics through the courts, while a case involving a local official detained on espionage suspicions and later cleared is being cited as an example of politically charged prosecutions.
• The opposition's candidate is accused of softening his image for the campaign despite past hardline rhetoric on cross-strait ties, with critics pointing to his family's past business dealings in mainland China as a contradiction.
• A Japanese academic predicts the ruling party holds the advantage heading into the vote and could flip several cities, calling a win in either Taipei or New Taipei a major victory.

Outlook: Expect the race to stay heated through election day, with endorsements, celebrity backing, and mutual accusations intensifying as the vote nears.