Premier tenders resignation, urges Cabinet reshuffle

Premier Su Tseng-chang (???) announced on Thursday that his Cabinet will resign en masse, and urged a Cabinet reshuffle, weeks after the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered a stinging defeat in last November's local government elections.

Su made the announcement on Facebook after the Legislature approved the central government's general budget for fiscal 2023 and closed for winter recess. His resignation is pending approval from President Tsai Ing-wen (???).

Su said following the approval of the budget, he met with President Tsai and again tendered his resignation after an earlier offer to resign was turned down by the president on election night.

He urged the president to swiftly appoint a new premier.

Su, 75, has headed the executive branch under Tsai since January 2019, making him the longest-serving premier since the Republic of China, Taiwan's de jure name, first held direct presidential elections in 1996.

Tsai resigned as DPP chair in the wake of November's drubbing, with calls for a Cabinet reshuffle following soon after.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel