Taiwan premier Su, cabinet submit resignations ahead of government personnel changes

Taiwanese premier Su Tseng-chang and members of the cabinet turned in their resignations to President Tsai Ing-wen ahead of an anticipated shift in government personnel. The expected changes follow the November local elections, where the governing party suffered major losses.

Su and members of the cabinet submitted their resignations to Tsai on Thursday, ahead of an anticipated government reshuffle. In a post on Facebook, Su said he asked Tsai to appoint a new cabinet in order to bring in new people. Cabinet spokesman Lo Ping-cheng also echoed Su’s comments, saying in a statement that the cabinet will step down once Tsai has appointed their replacements.

The resignations follow the losses sustained by the governing Democratic Progressive Party in the November elections and ahead of the island nation’s presidential and parliamentary races in 2024. Su originally turned in his resignation shortly after the November elections, but Tsai had requested for him to remain. Su has been the island nation’s premier since 2019 and is known for his sense of humor and for his vocal criticism of China, which claims the island as its territory.

Su is also known to be one of the DPP’s original founders when the party was established in 1986.

The Taiwan presidential office said the process of appointing new members of the cabinet would take place during the 10-day Lunar New Year holiday starting on Friday, so the new cabinet will be ready once the holiday is over.

During the Lunar New Year message on Friday, Tsai thanked the island’s military for continuing to defend the nation, saying the government has safeguarded peace amidst the military drills that China has been carrying out close to the island. In recorded remarks, Tsai said the new year, much like in 2022, would be “full of challenges” ahead.

“In the face of the Chinese Communists’ military ships and aircraft frequently harassing Taiwan, or even carrying out exercises around the Taiwan Strait, the government firmly safeguards peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region,” said Tsai.

“The military holds fast to their posts, fully protecting national security, defending our common homeland. I want to thank the labors of our brothers and sisters in the military,” said Tsai.