Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te’s approval rating has fallen below 45 per cent for the second time since he took office amid a backlash over his handling of Typhoon Danas and his support for a recall campaign targeting opposition lawmakers.
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A new survey released by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation on Tuesday found that only 42.9 per cent of respondents were satisfied with Lai’s performance – down 5.8 percentage points from June.
The disapproval rating was 44.5 per cent. It marks the second time dissatisfaction with Lai has surpassed support after his approval rating fell to its lowest in November at 42.8 per cent.
“This is one of Lai’s worst moments since taking office,” said foundation chairman Michael You Ying-lung, adding that the numbers reflected a growing crisis of governance.
You said the mass recall campaign and Lai’s divisive series of “Ten Talks” – which his office says is aimed at unity – were among the issues that have caused him to lose public support.
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He pointed to Lai’s speech at the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s national congress on June 28, when he urged the DPP to “stand with the people” and back citizen-led recall efforts. “That stance triggered a public outcry,” You said.