DPP Standing Committee Member Warns of Opponents'' Universal Cash Payout Promises; Suggests Party Respond Early

During a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Central Standing Committee meeting on the 29th, member Chen Mao-sung warned that rival candidates in the upcoming local elections are promising universal cash payouts—such as NT$6,000 in Chiayi''s Minxiong—to attract voters. He urged the party to develop countermeasures, noting that the DPP''s emphasis on fiscal discipline might put its candidates at a disadvantage. Secretary General Hsu Kuo-yung highlighted the party''s plans for staff deployments and joint campaigning. Tainan mayoral candidate Chen Ting-fei mentioned her opponent''s promise of NT$5,000 monthly for children aged 0 to 15, criticizing it as an irresponsible tactic. In response, Lai Ching-te encouraged candidates to propose clear social welfare policies and stated that the central government would inventory available resources and listen to opinions on addressing the low birth rate.