2 hours ago
image source,Getty Images
Su Zhenchang’s cabinet support hit a new low before the general resignation.
After Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party was defeated in the “nine-in-one” local elections, there were rumors of a cabinet reshuffle. Taiwan Premier Su Zhenchang resigned from President Tsai Ing-wen on January 19, and the new cabinet will begin adjustments during the Lunar New Year.
After Su Zhenchang finished discussing the central government’s general budget in the Legislative Yuan that afternoon, he hugged and took a group photo with the lawmakers present. During the period, he did not speak publicly. Then he went to the Palace Presidential to meet with Tsai Ing-wen for an hour. In the evening, he announced the news of his resignation on Facebook. The relevant decision is “it is in the interest of the President to establish a new centre”.
He revealed in the article that the Democratic Progressive Party had resigned twice on the night of its defeat in the “nine in one” election last year. To persuade him to stay, he said that he understood that if he resigned and ignored him, the central government’s budget considered by the Legislative Yuan would be withdrawn. Therefore, under the political turmoil, “he had no choice but to persevere, withstand the ridicule, and stabilize the speed of the administrative team. ” Now that the budget has been passed, the Executive Yuan has also introduced 16 measures for the benefit of the people, and the political situation is stable He resigned from the Premier to create a new situation.
Later, Tsai Ing-wen posted a post on Facebook to thank Su Zhenchang for leading the administration team. She described Su Zhenchang’s tenure as a “passive shame” to support the administration team, allowing her to focus on foreign affairs, national defense, and trans-. strait issues, and under pressure to pass the Affirmative Marriage Act, open “Beautiful Pigs”, “beautiful cows” and Japanese food imports, reform the military service system, and keep African swine fever and epidemics at bay.
“Nine in One” was “forced to palace” after losing the election
After the Democratic Progressive Party was defeated in the “nine-to-one” local elections in November last year, there were calls for a cabinet reshuffle, with Su Zhenchang often reporting that he was “forced to the palace”.
According to a poll released by the Taiwan Public Opinion Institute in January, 57% of respondents were dissatisfied with the overall governance performance of Su Zhenchang’s cabinet, and only 35.8% were satisfied, which hit a new low. Among them, the satisfaction concentrated among the elderly, those with low education, and farmers and students and other groups.
You Yinglong, chairman of the organization, analyzed that although Su Zhenchang’s cabinet approved the general cash payment of NT$6,000 earlier, the satisfaction with governance has not stopped falling and rebounded. “the hottest among the people” in the four years since its inception.
image source,EPA/OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF TAIWAN
In 2019, President Tsai Ing-wen invited Su Zhenchang back to the Yuan Executive Committee, he took office for four years and became Taiwan’s longest-serving cabinet after a democratically elected president (the picture shows Su Zhenchang’s profile picture when he took office).
Su Zhenchang was born in Pingtung in 1947. He was born as a defense lawyer on Formosa Island. He has served as a legislator, Pingtung county magistrate, Taipei magistrate, predecessor of New Taipei City, secretary general of the presidential office, and chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party.
In 2006, under the appointment of then President Chen Shui-bian, he served as the Prime Minister for the first time. In 2008 and 2012, he intended to win tickets for the presidential election but was passed by, In 2019, President Tsai Ing-wen invited him back to the Yuan Executive Committee, and he took office for 4 years and became Taiwan’s longest serving cabinet after a democratically elected president. His cabinet slogan is “Chong Chong Chong”, which shows his fighting spirit and resilience.
Added to Beijing’s list of “Taiwan independence diehards”
In November 2022, when Su Zhenchang responded to the question of resuming the “three small loops”, he said that the people are most reluctant to fight, and fighting each other is not a healthy and sustainable option. They never said they wanted to attack China, except when the KMT was in power they said they wanted to ‘attack the mainland’, but we’re not talking about that now.”
He said he hoped to discuss with the other side about cross-strait air navigation, but “they do not recognize our government, and they want people to people, airlines to airlines, there is no such thing”, so everyone should . speak clearly, don’t “read backwards”.
In June of the same year, after Beijing blocked the import of Taiwanese grouper, it said it had not closed the door to China. “I have no default position on the mainland. Taiwan is always cordial. Reciprocal and bilateral, there are no political prerequisites. We are all ready to exchange goodwill with the mainland.”
Previously, in November 2021, Su Zhenchang was listed by Beijing at the top of the list of “Taiwan independence diehards” To maintain cooperation, not to allow its affiliates and “financial owners” to profit from the land big, and to follow their criminal responsibility “for life”. Also on the list are Taiwan Legislative President You Xikun and Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie.
Su Zhenchang responded at the time that working hard for Taiwan is something that should be done. “He will not be intimidated” and believes that China’s unreasonable interference in Taiwan’s affairs is “very absurd and disgusting.” He will firmly defend Taiwan’s sovereignty and be even more proud of it..
China’s state-run Global Times later reported that Su Zhenchang’s grandfather, Su Yunying, was the traitor who killed anti-Japanese hero Lin Shaomao. In 2018, this discussion was mentioned by a famous Taiwanese speaker on a political program. Su Zhenchang refuted that it was fake news at the time, and criticized Lan Ying for deliberately defaming him. During the period, he criticized the Japanese government, and when Taiwan is surrendered, it also contributes money and efforts to participate in the self-initiated movement initiated by the people.
Who is the next Ge Kui?
After Su Zhenchang resigned, Tsai Ing-wen indicated that the cabinet adjustment will be launched during the Lunar New Year and the final decision will be announced as soon as possible. Rumor has it that the most likely candidate for the next Chief Executive is former Vice President Chen Jianren, and former Transport Minister Lin Jialong and former Taoyuan Mayor Zheng Wencan are the two most popular candidates for the Vice President.
However, when Chen Jianren was interviewed by Taiwan’s “Liberty Times” earlier, he repeatedly emphasized that “President Tsai did not consult me or ask me.” He also asked “Do you believe certain media reports?” , Zheng Wencan meets to discuss the formation of the cabinet.
Eleven female legislators including DPP legislator Fan Yun and 33 women’s gender groups issued a joint statement stating that female cabinet members made up only 7.5% and called on the Executive Yuan to increase the proportion of female members the cabinet when adjusting the cabinet.
Fan Yun said Taiwan’s female congressmen account for more than 40%, but female cabinet members account for only 7.5%, less than one-tenth, which is below one-third of the required international standard .He called for the appointment of female heads of state in the future, and to increase the number of female lieutenants to improve the currently extremely unbalanced gender ratio.
