Taiwanese Speaker Mistakenly Calls Lawmaker 'Tsai Ing-wen,' Sparking 2028 Election Jests

Taiwan's legislative speaker, Han Kuo-yu, caused a stir and amusement when he mistakenly referred to ruling party caucus whip Fan Yun as former President Tsai Ing-wen during a budget negotiation. The slip-up occurred during discussions on the central government's budget for the year.

Following the incident, ruling party caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung suggested that Han's subconscious might be revealing his intentions for the 2028 presidential election. Chuang playfully remarked that this mistake could spell trouble for Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, both potential contenders.

“

From an unconscious reflex, Han Kuo-yu might also be starting to have ideas about 2028. It looks like Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen is in trouble, and Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is also in trouble.

Chuang speculated that Han might still be affected by his 2020 presidential election loss to Tsai, which set a record for the highest vote count in Taiwan's presidential history. He suggested that seeing Fan Yun, the only woman among the ruling party's top three officials present, might have triggered an unconscious association with Tsai Ing-wen.

The lighthearted exchange highlighted the political dynamics and rivalries within Taiwan's legislature, with a simple verbal error sparking humorous commentary on potential future political aspirations.

“

Han Speaker directly called Fan Yun 'President Xiao-ying'. This question should not be asked of me, but of Han Kuo-yu. What was Han thinking at the time? Why did he mistake Fan Yun for Tsai Ing-wen?