Over 50 percent of Taiwanese think Chen Shui-bian should resign

More than 50 percent of respondents to a United Daily News opinion poll said Chen Shui-bian should step down.

Although some politicians are afraid that Annette Lu Hsiu-lien will take over, 61 percent of Taiwanese would accept the resignation of Chen and Annette Lu as his replacement.

The survey also shows 42 percent of people support the campaign to topple Chen initiated by Shih Ming-teh, a former DPP chairman, and 51 percent think Chen should leave office, 14 percent more than in late May when Chao Chien-ming, Chen¡¯s son-in-law, was detained.

Analysis shows 83 percent of respondents from the pan-blue camp think Chen should resign and 9 percent think he should stay on. However, 74 percent of respondents from the pan-blue camp strongly support Chen and only 1.5 percent opposes him.

According to regulation, Annette Lu will succeed Chen when he leaves office. The survey indicates that 34 percent of respondents from the pan-green camp do not wish Annette Lu to succeed Chen, while 55 percent are willing to accept her. Meanwhile, 73 percent of respondents from the pan-blue camp are not concerned by Annette Lu's succession.

By People's Daily Online