Tsai Shrugs Off Plummeting Approval Rating|不滿意度創新高 總統:改革必然過程

On May 20, President Tsai Ing-wen will been in office for two full years. Her disapproval ratings however, is currently at an all-time high. During a interview, Tsai said her sliding disapproval rating is an inevitable part of reform. Tsai also directly addressed the Kuan Chung-ming case for the first time, saying the Ministry of Education treated the case legally and not politically. She said the case would be politicized if she herself intervened politically.


Various media outlets are conducting public opinion polls on the eve of President Tsai Ing-wen's second anniversary in office. The Apple Daily is reporting an approval rating of 34 percent and disapproval rating of 62 percent for Tsai, while the United Daily News is reporting an approval rating of 29 percent and disapproval rating of 56 percent. During a recent radio interview, Tsai brushed off the public's dissatisfaction with her as an "inevitable part of reform."

Public opinion polls reflect the process of people wanting to pull you back or push you forward during the reform process. However, when you reach a certain time, when you're done with your task, people will take a more rational look back and see that you're already moving forward and we've reached our goal for all intents and purposes.

Asked whether her reforms would affect her chances of being reelected, Tsai said it is too early to think about that. Tsai was also asked about the National Taiwan University president selection controversy. Kuan Chung-ming has called on Tsai to put the issue to bed by May 20. In response, Tsai said the issue should not be politicized.

Some people are intentionally trying to politicize it. Based on what Professor Kuan says -- it's that he wants the president to intervene politically, isn't it? This is actually not good. We will still let the Ministry of Education handle this case in a professional way using the laws and authority it has.