President Tsai Ing-wen is keeping tight-lipped about who might be her pick for a running mate in next year’s election. But she has told reporters that the government will continue its work to lighten the financial burdens of young people in Taiwan.
Reporters asked Tsai Friday to comment on speculation that she could be announcing her running mate this weekend.
On Saturday, Tsai is slated to attend an event with William Lai, her former rival for her Democratic Progressive Party’s 2020 nomination. It will be the first time that the two will stand on the same stage since the party’s primary, in which Tsai won her party’s endorsement. Many in the party hope to see the two former rivals come together and campaign on a joint ticket.
Tsai said that she will be attending the event, but did not comment on rumors that she might use the occasion to announce Lai as her running mate. Instead, she said that her party hopes to concentrate its energy and win not only the presidency, but also a majority in the Legislature.
Tsai was more forthcoming about her administration’s efforts to help Taiwan’s young people financially. She was asked about KMT presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu’s idea of lowering or eliminating interest rates on student loans.
Tsai said that when Taiwan’s economy grows and tax revenue grows with it, the government will make sure that all people benefit. She said the government has recently made adjustments to a number of social programs, including long-term care programs and childcare programs.
Tsai said that efforts to raise young people’s salaries and cut their taxes have not only lifted their financial burdens but also increased their levels of disposable income. She said that the government reduced interest rates on student loans last year and lengthened grace periods for those who’ve taken students loans out.
She said that in the future, the government will look at whether further measures to help young people are financially feasible.