Kaohsiung poll shows near 60% dissatisfaction with KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen; Ko Chih-en responds

A recent poll by the New Taiwan Policy Foundation indicates that nearly 60% of Kaohsiung residents are dissatisfied with Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen, a figure whose low approval rating could potentially harm Ko Chih-en's mayoral campaign in the city.

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This 60% is it false numbers or do people really feel that way?

The poll, released on June 12, showed that while Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Jui-lung leads Ko Chih-en by 17.8 percentage points in the mayoral race, it also surveyed public satisfaction with national figures. President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai both had approval ratings exceeding 50%, while Cheng Li-wen's satisfaction rating stood at only 23.9%, with a significant 58.4% expressing dissatisfaction.

Responding to the poll, Ko Chih-en expressed skepticism about the figures. "I don't know where this 60% comes from!" she stated, questioning whether the numbers reflected genuine sentiment or were "false figures." Ko emphasized her commitment to her own campaign strategy, focusing on policies that directly address the concerns of Kaohsiung citizens. "We will proceed at our own pace and propose policies that citizens feel most strongly about, as that is the most important thing," she added.

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We will proceed at our own pace and propose policies that citizens feel most strongly about, as that is the most important thing.

Cheng Li-wen has visited Kaohsiung multiple times to support Ko's campaign, including attending grassroots meetings. When previously asked if Cheng's involvement might have a negative effect, Ko had dismissed the concern, stating that a party chair's presence at such events is natural and serves to motivate party members.

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No.

The poll results highlight a potential challenge for the KMT in Kaohsiung, where Ko Chih-en is trailing in the mayoral race. The low approval rating of the party chair could further complicate efforts to gain traction against the incumbent DPP.

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People just want change in the state and they're screaming out for it, for change.