台中市長盧秀燕在外界盛傳「藍營共主」呼聲後，正式表態不參選9月的國民黨黨主席選舉，這個決定立即引發政壇高度關注。因為在藍營內部，黨主席之位往往被視為總統大選的重要跳板，尤其當前國民黨正處於轉型與權力盤整的階段，盧秀燕的拒絕參選，不僅攸關黨內派系角力，更牽動她未來是否可能問鼎總統大位。

首先，盧秀燕之所以婉拒黨主席職位，有其現實與戰略考量。作為現任台中市長，她的施政聲望與地方基層支持度相當穩固，若此刻接下黨主席重擔，勢必分散心力，甚至可能因黨務與地方治理兩頭燒而影響她的市政成績。對於一位有總統潛力的政治人物來說，維持地方政績的穩定表現，比一時掌握黨機器更具長遠價值。此外，國民黨目前內部矛盾頗深，黨主席位置並非單純榮耀，而是高度消耗的戰場，盧若此刻接任，反而可能陷入黨內派系鬥爭的漩渦，得不償失。

其次，盧秀燕的政治布局更傾向於「靜待時機」而非「過早表態」。她深知國民黨內對於黨主席與總統候選人「是否必須合一」仍存爭論。若她現在接任黨主席，將直接被推到第一線，成為所有矛頭的焦點，甚至在2028年總統提名時可能過早消耗能量。相較之下，維持市長身分、累積政績，反而能在未來以「藍營最強母雞」的姿態，自然成為共識候選人。

至於外界關心，她若不接黨主席，是否會影響未來的總統提名？答案其實並非絕對。過去的例子顯示，國民黨的總統候選人並非一定要兼任黨主席，例如韓國瑜當年並非黨主席，卻仍獲徵召參選。換言之，黨內只要形成「勝選共識」，黨主席未必是唯一門票。反而是黨主席因為必須負責黨內整合與資源分配，很容易背負派系糾葛與責任包袱，導致總統提名之路更為艱難。

綜合來看，盧秀燕此舉是一次戰略性選擇。她選擇在此刻退居一隅，專注於市政，避免過早介入黨內權力鬥爭，以保存最大戰力與清新形象。這樣的決定，短期內或許會讓她缺席黨主席舞台，但長期而言，反而有助於她在2028年總統大選前，以更高支持度與更少包袱的姿態登場。

After Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen announced that she would not run for the Kuomintang (KMT) chairmanship in September, the political scene in Taiwan immediately reacted with heightened attention. The KMT chairmanship is traditionally viewed as a crucial stepping stone for presidential ambitions, particularly at a time when the party is undergoing internal restructuring and factional negotiations. Lu’s decision not to pursue the position carries significant implications not only for intra-party dynamics but also for her potential future presidential candidacy.

Lu’s refusal to take on the chairmanship can be understood through a combination of practical and strategic considerations. As the incumbent mayor of Taichung, her local governance record and grassroots support are relatively strong. Taking on the dual responsibilities of city administration and party leadership could dilute her focus and even compromise her municipal performance. For a politician with presidential potential, maintaining a solid record at the local level may be more strategically advantageous than assuming the burdens of party leadership prematurely. Additionally, the KMT currently faces notable internal divisions. Accepting the chairmanship now could embroil her in factional conflicts, draining political capital without guaranteeing long-term benefits.

Strategically, Lu seems to prefer “waiting for the right moment” rather than prematurely stepping into the spotlight. She understands that the debate within the KMT over whether the party chair and presidential candidate must be unified remains unresolved. Assuming the chairmanship too early would put her in the direct line of scrutiny and conflict, potentially exhausting her political resources ahead of the 2028 presidential race. Remaining as mayor allows her to consolidate achievements, maintain a clean image, and naturally position herself as a consensus candidate within the party later on.

As for concerns over whether abstaining from the chairmanship will jeopardize her future presidential bid, the answer is not definitive. Historical precedent shows that KMT presidential candidates do not necessarily need to hold the party chairmanship. For example, Han Kuo-yu was not the party chair when he was nominated. In other words, the party can still coalesce around a candidate without that person holding the chair, whereas assuming the chairmanship entails the risk of being mired in intra-party disputes and carrying factional burdens, which could make a presidential nomination more challenging.

Overall, Lu Shiow-yen’s decision reflects a deliberate strategic calculation. By stepping back from the chairmanship, she can focus on her mayoral duties, avoid being drawn into internal power struggles, and preserve her political capital. While this choice temporarily removes her from the party leadership stage, it could ultimately strengthen her position for the 2028 presidential election, allowing her to enter with higher support and fewer encumbrances.