Tsai Ing-wen's winter of discontent

Taiwanese leader's credibility may be hit after Saturday's polls as unhappiness grows

Supporters at a rally for Taiwan's main opposition party Kuomintang in Taipei on Nov 10. The results of Saturday's municipal polls will be seen as a midterm test of confidence in President Tsai Ing-wen's rule, and a loss for her Democratic Progressiv
Supporters at a rally for Taiwan's main opposition party Kuomintang in Taipei on Nov 10. The results of Saturday's municipal polls will be seen as a midterm test of confidence in President Tsai Ing-wen's rule, and a loss for her Democratic Progressive Party may force Ms Tsai to give up hope of re-election in the presidential polls due by January 2020, say experts. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Supporters at a rally for Taiwan's main opposition party Kuomintang in Taipei on Nov 10. The results of Saturday's municipal polls will be seen as a midterm test of confidence in President Tsai Ing-wen's rule, and a loss for her Democratic Progressiv
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TAIPEI • Nearly three years after winning Taiwan's top job by a landslide, Ms Tsai Ing-wen is facing the prospect of becoming the island's most short-lived elected president.

Ms Tsai's moment of truth will come on Saturday, when Taiwanese will vote in municipal polls seen as a midterm test of confidence in her rule.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 22, 2018, with the headline Tsai Ing-wen's winter of discontent. Subscribe