The Democratic Progressive Party will hold its central executive meeting today. Through the establishment of a nomination strategy group for the 2024 general election, difficult constituencies will be operated simultaneously with general primary elections, and candidates will be determined as soon as possible, so that candidates can make plans in advance.

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[Reporter Chen Yun/Report from Taipei] The Democratic Progressive Party will convene its Central Executive Committee today to approve the establishment of a nomination strategy group for the 2024 election, and to confirm the total number and differences of presidential and regional legislator nomination primary election tasks and difficult constituencies.

High-level members of the party said that unlike in the past when difficult constituencies were the last to be dealt with, this time they will work simultaneously with ordinary primary elections to determine candidates as early as possible, so that candidates can plan ahead and increase their chances of winning.

The Central Executive Committee will establish a strategy group to complete the nomination of legislators in mid-May

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The senior party officials said that many current legislators and potential candidates expressed their hope that the nominations could be confirmed as soon as possible, and the sooner the better, so this year we followed everyone’s opinions and proceeded as soon as possible. After the completion of the by-election of the legislators in the second constituency of Nantou, we started relevant work immediately, including Establish a nomination strategy group, confirm eligibility for election, coordinate primary elections, and conduct polls for primary elections, etc., so as to complete the nomination of legislators in mid-May, and then process the list of non-regional legislators.

According to senior party officials, many potential candidates have reported that difficult constituencies need more time to plan and publicize. Therefore, unlike in the past, which may take August or September to complete nominations, this difficult constituency will be compared with General primary elections are operated simultaneously, "not to make difficult constituencies more difficult"; the Central Executive Committee will confirm that 16 votes did not exceed 42 last time.

Five percent hard pick difference.

Difficult Constituency Synchronization Job

In addition, in 2016, the DPP allowed Lin Changzuo to run for the legislator of the fifth constituency of Beishi City, and in 2020 let Chen Baiwei run for the legislator of the second constituency of Taichung City.

Senior party officials said that the DPP has many mature mechanisms. This year, it will basically follow the existing system to handle and coordinate, including special electoral districts, difficult electoral districts and primary electoral districts. The party department will have different roles for different situations.

However, opinions at the grassroots level have been divided recently on whether to nominate a candidate for Taichung City's sixth constituency or give in to the current legislator Huang Guoshu who has announced the "three withdrawals".

People in the party said that although Huang Guoshu is powerful and has a high chance of winning the election, this involves the philosophy of the DPP. Even if he is courteous, he may become the target of the KMT's attack. This will be a big test for the party center.

There are 14 members in the Nomination Strategy Group, which the Party Central Committee regards as an important platform for factional cooperation and strives for balance within the party.