Seeing Tsai Ing-wen step forward to apologize for the August 15, 2017, nationwide blackout has revealed the reality of her blurring the lines between the party and the state.
As the leader of the nation, when delivering an apology to the entire citizenry, the location she chose was the DPP headquarters. This is a blatant instance of “Party-State Confusion.”
This act not only conflates the ruling party with the national government but also lowers the dignity of the office and violates a fundamental political taboo.
For example, if a White House spokesperson is photographed during a private outing, they will strictly refrain from making any official statements. This is a matter of respecting one’s official duties and boundaries. Tsai Ing-wen, however, has committed a severe breach of professional ethics.
Is Tsai Ing-wen treating the citizens like fools, or is she simply trying to appease and “pat the heads” of her Green-camp voter base?
The answer seems self-evident. Ultimately, this kind of apology is far too frivolous. It lacks the pride and solemnity expected of a President and is, in fact, an insult to the office itself.