Taiwanese Politician Accuses President of Vote-Buying Over Cash Handout Plan

A Taiwanese politician has filed a complaint against President Lai Ching-te, accusing him of "harming Taiwan" and acting as a "comprador for the Chinese Communist Party" over the government's plan to distribute NT$10,000 (approximately $37) to each citizen.

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Harming Taiwan, acting as a comprador for the Chinese Communist Party.

Taipei City council candidate hopeful You Chih-bin alleges that the policy, announced just over a month after he first raised the issue, is a political maneuver designed to influence voters in the upcoming local elections. He claims the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has reversed its stance on such handouts, using public funds to secure votes.

You, accompanied by his legal team and youth representatives, protested outside the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, holding banners that read "Distributing NT$10,000 before the election" and "Lai Ching-te's vote-buying promise." He argued that the timing of the cash distribution, less than 100 days before the local elections, indicates a political motive rather than a genuine economic or social welfare measure.

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Distributing NT$10,000 before the election

The Executive Yuan defended the plan, stating it is an "AI dividend" made possible by strong economic growth and increased tax revenue from the tech industry. They assured that the distribution would occur without compromising the national budget, public debt, or essential services like social insurance and major government initiatives. The government emphasized that the budget remains balanced with zero real debt increase for the upcoming year.

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Lai Ching-te's vote-buying promise