Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) challenger Puma Shen clashed over drug-driving penalties in a televised debate, placing a newly passed criminal-law amendment at the center of Taiwan’s local election campaign.
TVBS and SET News held the candidates’ first televised debate on Oct. 31, a day after the Legislative Yuan passed changes to Criminal Code Article 185-3. Chiang is a member of the Kuomintang (KMT), while Shen is the DPP challenger.
The amended provision would set the basic penalty for drug-impaired driving at six months to five years, replacing a maximum of three years, CNA reported. Under the amendment, a repeat offender who commits another drug-driving offense within 10 years and causes a death could face death, life imprisonment or at least 10 years in prison, the outlet reported.
Chiang criticized Shen for not casting a vote on the amendment, arguing that Shen showed greater regard for offenders than for victims and their families. The Legislative Yuan’s session record lists Shen as attending the wider sitting; CNA and United Daily News reported that he did not vote on the specific measure.
Shen said he backed stronger penalties for drunk and drug-impaired driving but viewed the approved text as disproportionate. He urged city officials to emphasize roadside police checks, school-based prevention lessons and steps to limit drug supplies.
The candidates also clashed over school food safety and child-abuse cases. Shen questioned whether Taipei had handled those matters consistently, while Chiang defended the city’s response and accused Shen and the DPP of double standards. Public Television Service (PTS) covered the exchange.
After the debate, Shen’s campaign said it hoped to hold another debate, while Chiang said he was open to an invitation from a media organizer, PTS reported. Taiwan’s Central Election Commission lists Nov. 28 as the date for local elections.
