In a significant shift in public opinion, a recent poll has revealed that only 48 percent of residents in the Taiwan region express general approval of their new leader, Lai Ching-te. This marks a sharp decline of 9.8 percentage points from the previous month when Lai assumed office, according to local media reports.
The poll, released by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation on Tuesday, highlights a concerning trend for Lai, who represents the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and took on the leadership role on May 20. You Ying-lung, chairman of the foundation, emphasized the gravity of the situation by noting that each percentage point translates to approximately 195,000 people. “The fact that Lai has lost the support of nearly two million voters in less than a month poses a serious warning signal,” You stated.
Adding to the DPP’s challenges, another survey conducted by TVBS and released on the same day showed that over half of the respondents (53 percent) disapproved of the performance of DPP legislators. The convergence of these polls suggests a growing dissatisfaction among residents of Taiwan with the current administration’s policies and approach.
Political analysts attribute this decline in support to various factors, including economic concerns and debates over policy direction. As the Taiwan region navigates its complex political and economic landscape, the DPP faces increasing pressure to address the public’s concerns and restore confidence in their leadership.
The coming months will be crucial for Lai Ching-te and his administration as they work to regain public trust. Observers will be watching closely to see how the DPP responds to these early warning signals and whether they can reverse the downward trend in approval ratings.
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Poll: Support for Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te tumbles in first month
cgtn.com
