At a broadcaster-hosted coordination meeting on Oct. 21, the camps of KMT candidate Chiang Chi-chen and DPP candidate Ho Hsin-chun could not agree on the debate date or on English-language questioning. Both say they will debate.
According to the United Daily News and the Central News Agency, the camps of KMT candidate Chiang Chi-chen and DPP candidate Ho Hsin-chun failed to agree on timing and language at the Oct. 21 coordination meeting, which the paper called a ‘temporary breakdown.’ Both candidates say they will take part in a debate, and a separate legally required policy presentation will also be held.
광고 문의 · 300×250China Television and Mirror TV hosted the first coordination meeting on Oct. 20, and Formosa TV hosted the Oct. 21 session. The organizers offered Nov. 2 to 6. Chiang's camp said ‘the sooner the better’ and promised full cooperation on Nov. 2, clearing the evenings of Nov. 4 and 5 as well.
The Dispute Over Dates
Chiang's side says Ho's camp first said Nov. 2 and 3 were already booked and ‘absolutely not possible,’ then said Nov. 2 could work at the Oct. 21 meeting. Chiang's deputy campaign chief Wang Yu-min said she was ‘shocked and pained’ by the change. Ho's campaign chief Tsai Chi-chang answered that both sides have schedules to coordinate and proposed the evening of Nov. 6.
Chiang's side then said it has a large rally on Nov. 6 and an event on Nov. 4 and asked for changes. The two camps are reportedly weighing Nov. 4 or 5, but nothing is final. On venue, Chiang's camp first wanted Taichung but accepted a Taipei studio after organizers cited engineering, lighting and ceiling-height needs.
The All-English Question
The biggest gap is language. Chiang's side proposed 20 of the 90 minutes as all-English cross-examination to test candidates' international experience, while Ho's side replied that forcing a language disregards most voters and that candidates should answer to citizens. Ho's secretary-general noted that the Taipei and Kaohsiung mayoral debates and the presidential debates did not use an all-English format.
The broadcasters reportedly said they would not force any candidate to use a particular language. The local elections are on Nov. 28. Chiang's side says it has never avoided debates and is ready for the official policy forum. Whether the two debates will actually be held, and on what date and format, could not be confirmed from the day's reports.