ROC Cabinet resigns following local elections

2014-12-02

The ROC Cabinet, led by Premier Jiang Yi-huah, resigned en masse Dec. 1 in response to the mayoral and magistrate elections of two days prior.

“The results show that the public is not satisfied with the administration,” Jiang said during his resignation speech. “The government needs to respect the message sent in their votes and look into the causes of the public’s disapproval.”

In the hotly contested elections, the ruling Kuomintang took only six seats and 40.7 percent of the ballots, while the opposition Democratic Progressive Party won 13 seats and 47.55 percent.

“The government must engage in self-reflection and make policy adjustments so the nation can continue moving forward,” Jiang said. He thanked outgoing officials for their contributions and urged those who replace them to keep advancing the well-being of Taiwan.

Since taking office in February 2013, Jiang said the Cabinet has implemented a raft of economic and social reform measures aimed at moving Taiwan along the right development track.

These included amendments to income tax regulations and subsidies for elderly farmers, the Free Economic Pilot Zones initiative, minimum wage increases, youth employment promotions, as well as the signing of economic cooperation agreements with New Zealand and Singapore.

The country also faced severe challenges both at home and abroad during his premiership, such as a fishery dispute with the Philippines, food safety scandals, propylene gas line explosions in Kaohsiung and student protests, Jiang said.

The premier commended his team for having done their part during what have proven to be difficult times. “Many ground-breaking reforms would not have been possible without the Cabinet members’ commitment and dedication,” Jiang concluded. 

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=224697&CtNode=413)