A majority of the public is dissatisfied with the performance of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and his government six months into Ma’s presidency, a poll conducted and released by Global Views magazine said yesterday.
The poll, conducted between Nov. 14 and Tuesday, questioned 1,000 adults across the country and found that more than 58 percent were unhappy with Ma’s performance, while only 29.8 percent said they were happy.
The approval rating represented a 6.2 percent increase from the previous month, with the disapproval rating showing a 9.4 percent decrease.
Yesterday marked the first six months of Ma’s four-year term in office.
The poll indicated that almost 39 percent of respondents did not trust the president, while about 48 percent said they did.
The performance of Ma’s government also received a failed grade in the poll.
More than 58 percent of respondents were dissatisfied with the performance of Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄), with only 25.4 percent satisfied.
Almost 56 percent were displeased with the overall performance of the Cabinet as a whole, while only 24 percent were happy with it.
When asked who would be best suited to take over Liu’s job, almost 51 percent of respondents said they favored Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強), with about 42 percent saying they preferred Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平).
Other suggested names were Taoyuan County Commissioner Chu Li-lun (朱立倫) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄). Liu was only the fifth most favored candidate on the list.
Respondents also expressed disappointment at the legislature, which is dominated by the KMT.
The survey found that almost 57 percent said they were disappointed by the overall performance of the legislature, while about 28 percent said they were happy.
Regarding the legal case against former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), about 64 percent of respondents said it epitomized the progression of Taiwan’s democratic system, while 22 percent said it represented a regression of Taiwan’s democracy.
Chen, who faces charges related to alleged money laundering, taking bribes, forgery and embezzling NT$15 million (US$450,000) during his two terms in office, is currently being detained without charge.
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