Latest news with #TaiwanesePublicOpinionFoundation
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Support for Taiwanese leader William Lai hits new low, 3 polls show
Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te is grappling with his steepest decline in public support since taking office nearly 15 months ago, indicating challenges for his ruling party in next year's local elections and the 2028 Taiwan leadership race. Three major surveys – the latest released on Tuesday – showed continued sharp drops in approval for Lai, signalling trouble even in Tainan, his southern hometown and power base. The numbers reflect widespread dissatisfaction over Lai's handling of the mass recall votes targeting opposition lawmakers, the response to Typhoon Danas, which caused severe flooding in southern Taiwan last month, and mounting economic concerns linked to new US tariffs The Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation (TPOF), TVBS cable news network and online news outlet My Formosa all reported approval ratings for the Lai administration in the low 30s or below, while disapproval hit the mid-50s. Trust levels hovered around the mid-30s, while pessimism over Lai's remaining three years in office was widespread. The TPOF poll released on Tuesday found just 33.3 per cent of respondents approved of Lai's handling of Taiwanese affairs, compared with 54.4 per cent who disapproved. Even in Tainan, Lai's hometown and political stronghold, approval was at 36 per cent while disapproval ratings reached 43 per cent.
NHK
20-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te marks 1 year in office, vows to enhance defense
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has stressed the importance of democracy and freedom, and vowed to enhance defense capabilities, marking one year in office. Lai spoke to reporters in Taipei on Tuesday. He said he was confident the people of Taiwan will not give up their free and democratic way of life. He apparently had China in mind, which is ramping up military pressure on Taiwan by repeatedly conducting major drills around Taiwan. Asked about his policy on China, Lai said that "aggressors are the ones who destroy peace." He expressed his plan to continue to enhance defense capabilities and promote cooperation with international partners. Lai also expressed his hope to have peaceful relations with China by promoting exchanges and cooperation with Beijing based on the precondition of equality and respect. He also called on the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties to share important information on Taiwan's security, and exchange each other's opinions. The two camps have been at odds in parliament where Lai's Democratic Progressive Party is a minority. According to a survey released Tuesday by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation, Lai has an approval rating of 45.7 percent. That's a drop of more than 10 points from 58 percent recorded right after his inauguration. But the foundation said his approval rating has leveled off and is stable.
