A large-scale protest against the government's handling of a food safety scandal, specifically related to a cooking oil scandal, took place in Taipei, with over 200,000 people participating, according to News - South China Morning Post. The protest appears to have given momentum to the main opposition party, the Kuomintang, ahead of the local elections in November. Taipei mayor Wayne Chiang Wan-an has emerged as a significant political winner from this event.
The unexpectedly large turnout on Saturday has potentially reshaped the race to become the Kuomintang's candidate in the next election, with Chiang Wan-an benefiting from the momentum. The protest was organized by the opposition to express dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the food safety issue. According to News - South China Morning Post, this event could have significant implications for the upcoming local elections.
The cooking oil scandal and subsequent protest reflect ongoing concerns about food safety and government accountability in Taiwan, which could influence the outcome of the local elections in November. The event's impact on the Kuomintang's candidate selection and the party's overall prospects is a key aspect of the story.