With Policy Flip-flops on Stimulus Vouchers, Does Premier Su Still Retain Leadership？
United Daily News Editorial, August 15, 2021
The Executive Yuan insisted that the people pay NT$1,000 (about US$36) upfront to obtain the five-time stimulus vouchers valued at NT$5,000 (about US$180). However, with the grievances of the people, the criticism from the party factions, and the intervention of President Tsai Ing-wen, this policy flip-flops three times. Premier Su Tseng-chang finally agreed that all people can obtain the vouchers free of charge. The public opinion has won and President Tsai got to claim once again that she is the boss. Under these circumstances, Premier Su lost charge.
The Executive Yuan endeavored to promote that the stimulus vouchers at NT$5,000 is "a kind of public participation economy," and that "contributing NT$1,000 can help our domestic economy." They flattered themselves with the comment that this is an extraordinary thing.
It seems that Premier Su plans to use the stimulus vouchers as political mobilization for a popularism economy. But for the people, it sounds like a political movement "with an empty stomach."
Premier Su insisted strongly on this policy without regard to the vehement critic from the opposition and different voices from his party. This is interpreted by his party members as a move to save his low public support. What is more, President Tsai has told Premier Su to communicate properly with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus of the Legislative Yuan, but in the communication Premier Su made some compromise without changing the policy, saying that the printed version of the voucher has already been finalized. This led to the revolt of the party caucus, and with the intervention of President Tsai, the policy for stimulus vouchers flip-flops again.
Although the public now can obtain the vouchers at NT$5,000 without upfront payment at NT$1,000, there are still concerns in the society on the administrative cost of printing the vouchers, long queues for obtaining the vouchers, and the disregard for the welfare of the street vendors. At the time when Executive Yuan will finalize the policy on August 16, the opposition and the majority of the people are calling for issuing cash as the most practical way. The flip-flops by the Executive Yuan and the defeats suffered by Premier Su has made the policy of stimulus vouchers not just an economic measure. Politically, it has challenged Premier Su's leadership and has further sensitized the Tsai-Su relationship.
The problem lies with the fact that the policy making on the stimulus vouchers is neither professional nor scientific. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, in an effort to please the premier, distorted the facts, and multiplied the effectiveness of the vouchers issued last year.
The policy made in the air-conditioned room in disregard to people's grievances has alienated the people. President Tsai's so-called "the administration best at communication," becomes a joke. What is worse, Premier Su's hard feelings demonizing former President Ma Ying-jeou is even harder to overcome. In order to differentiated from Mr. Ma’s coupon policy, Premier Su insisted on the vouchers at NT$3,000 last year and vouchers at NT$5,000 this year.
The policy on stimulus vouchers at NT$5,000 flip-flops from NT$1,000 upfront payment, to one million some people free, to 9 million some people free, finally to all people free. Now, except the time limitation on spending the vouchers, how different is that from issuing cash? With public opposition, criticism by the DPP caucus and President Tsai's intervention, this policy flip-flops for three times. With prestige and public trust at the bottom, how can Premier Su lead his cabinet and implement policy measures?