Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an left a second debate with Democratic Progressive Party challenger and legislator Puma Shen without a date after their first televised exchange, ahead of Taiwan’s Nov. 28 local elections.
Chiang did not rule out another debate, but set no date. In a post-debate interview with TVBS, he said he was open to a follow-up and left the next step to TVBS and Sanlih Television, the event organizers. No second event had been scheduled in reports published Saturday.
Shen used a post-debate press conference carried by Sanlih Television to call for another meeting, saying his campaign would take steps to secure one. The official debate replay shows Shen raised the idea during the final cross-questioning round; Chiang replied that the campaigns could communicate and coordinate.
TVBS and Sanlih Television organized the two-hour debate at TVBS’s studio. The announced format included opening statements, cross-examination, media questions and closing statements. The event followed meetings between campaign representatives and the broadcasters, according to the organizers’ announcement.
The candidates also clashed over changes to Article 185-3 of Taiwan’s Criminal Code. The Legislative Yuan passed the amendment at third reading Oct. 30, according to reports by CNA and United Daily News. Chiang criticized Shen for not voting for it. Shen said he objected to measures he viewed as disproportionate, rather than to tougher penalties generally, according to the debate recording.
The amendment passed at third reading would permit a death sentence if someone with a finalized drug-driving conviction or deferred prosecution commits another drug-driving offense within 10 years that causes a death, CNA and United Daily News reported. The Legislative Yuan’s sitting agenda listed the relevant proposals; the news reports described their passage.
Taiwan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) scheduled the 2026 local elections for Nov. 28. The reports did not give a date for another debate.
