Pension Reforms: Third Reading Is the Beginning of a More Acute Challenge

 Pension Reforms: Third Reading Is the Beginning of a More Acute Challenge

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)

July 2, 2017

 Translation of an Except

The three new bills related to pension reforms were finally completed in the third reading in the Legislative Yuan all in accordance with the DPP caucus’ version as it occupies an overwhelming majority in the Legislature. This result was long predicted, but for President Tsai's political life, the DPP’s future as the ruling power, and even the stability of Taiwan’s society, it has created a more acute challenge. The legislative process caused a recoil, tearing the social fabric asunder, far exceeding President Tsai's expectations; how are the wounds to be healed?

Before pondering these questions, we should first fathom the three political signals in this legislative process: First, pension reforms under the stewardship of the DPP legislative caucus are more radical than the recommendations adopted by the National Conference on Pension Reforms, and are the least friendly to civil servants and public school teachers. Second, according to an instant survey conducted by the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation, a pro-Green think tank, immediately after the passage of the bill, the dissatisfaction rate of Tsai Ying-wen and Lin Chuan both exceeded 50 percent, while the satisfaction rate dropped below 30 percent, showing that the pension reforms did not reverse President Tsai’s plummeting prestige. Another signal is that the anti-pension/annuities reform groups will express their protest to Tsai Ying-wen like a stalking shadow.

In the future, when Tsai Ing-wen launches any reform under the pretext of "… justice," it could continue to create groups of furious citizens. A president whose prestige is in the doldrums, a ruling party that charges and rams at will, plus furious crowds here and there, will likely be consequences of this disaster.

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