Vice President Lai Qingde (right), who is also the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, completed the registration for the Democratic Progressive Party's presidential primary election yesterday, shouting: "Let Taiwan become the MVP of the democratic world." (Photographed by reporter Luo Peide)

[Reporter Chen Zhengyu/Taipei Report] Facing the 2024 election, Vice President Lai Qingde, who is also the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party, completed the registration for the Democratic Progressive Party's presidential primary election yesterday.

He put forward demands such as "struggling for the economy, protecting democracy, strengthening national defense, and maintaining peace," and shouted, "At this moment, we are all Team Taiwan, Team Taiwan, stand up for Taiwan! Come on together! Let Taiwan become the MVP of the democratic world."

The Democratic Progressive Party will conduct the registration form for the presidential primary election from the 13th to the 17th. Lai Qingde, accompanied by the former Pingtung County Mayor Pan Mengan, completed the registration yesterday. There are no other challengers. The registration deadline will be on the 17th After that, it can be determined whether to run for the same quota or enter the primary election.

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Hope to stand on the front line to build the country and benefit the people

Lai Qingde said that on January 18 this year, he took over the chairmanship of the Democratic Progressive Party with a feeling of caution and fear. He hoped to unite the party, polish the signboard of "clean, hard-working, and loving the country" and regain the trust and support of the people. Thank you to the Central Executive Committee for supporting the promotion of party affairs reform and actively responding to the expectations of the society; I also thank the folks in Nantou for giving the DPP Cai Peihui the opportunity to "fight for Nantou" in the by-election of legislators in Nantou's second constituency on March 4th. It also gave the DPP the power to start again and undertake its mission.

Lai Qingde said that he participated in the Democratic Progressive Party's presidential primary election with an extremely firm heart, hoping to win the support of comrades in the party and the people of Taiwan, and lead the team from the front line to build the country, upgrade the economy, benefit the people, and fight against gang , gold, guns, and drugs, and build a harmonious and stable society of public welfare, so that young people can see hope, middle-aged people can realize their dreams, old people can get happiness, and disadvantaged people can also be cared for.

He further pointed out that Taiwan should make Taiwan's future smarter, more sustainable, and more resilient by properly responding to challenges such as net-zero transformation, post-epidemic economic recovery, and geopolitical changes caused by the Ukrainian-Russian War, as well as supply chain restructuring.

Fight the economy, protect democracy, strengthen national defense, and protect peace

Lai emphasized that Taiwan is at a critical moment of survival and development, especially in the key position of the first island chain in the Indo-Pacific, directly facing China's increasing civil and military threats, diplomatic blockade, and two-handed strategy of playing and fighting. We must continue to strengthen Taiwan, stick to the democratic lineup, and ensure Taiwan's security.

Finally, Lai Qingde appealed to the people to give him the opportunity to lead the country, unite the people of the country to fight for the economy, protect democracy, strengthen national defense, and maintain peace, and jointly complete the mission of the new era of protecting Taiwan, promoting democracy, peace, and prosperity.

Registration for the Democratic Progressive Party's presidential primary election will end tomorrow. If there is a tie for the election, Lai Qingde will be confirmed on the 17th. The Central Executive Committee will review the qualifications of the candidates for the primary election next Wednesday, and the presidential candidate will be announced on April 12.