Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen appointed William Lai as new premier

President Tsai Ing-wen announced the appointment of Tainan Mayor William Lai as new premier on September 5, 2017.  The former premier Lin Chuan reigned one day before Tsai’s announcement.  The speculation of cabinet change was circulated for weeks.  Both Lin and Lai denied any knowledge of major cabinet change.  Finally Lin told a news conference that he decided to step down because he had completed the three goals he set when he took office. These goals are: to steer the administration through the transitional period: to implement President Tsai’s policies; and to lay a foundation for the nation’s development by coordinating cabinet policies.  Lin also said he had proposed resigning in June.  However, Tsai asked him to stay until the key tasks were completed.   In her announcement, President Tsai said she is confident Lai has a good understanding of public opinion and would be able to rapidly respond to the needs of people across the nation.   Tsai emphasized that the focus of the incoming Cabinet would switch from “planning” to “execution”.   Willian Lai was a highly rated lawmaker when he served Legislative Yuan from 1999 to 2010.    Lai was elected Tainan mayor in 2010 and won a second term in 2014.   As a mayor, Lai’s approval rating was very high and was considered a rising star in Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and a potential presidential candidate in 2024.  After being sworn in as premier and attending a handover ceremony with his new Cabinet, Lai vowed to lead a “pragmatic Cabinet”.  His responsibility is to facilitate national development, drive economic growth and serve the public interest, instead of certain political parties.   He believed that politicians would be rewarded with applause as long as they serve the public selflessly and sincerely and hope that his cabinet would be a clean and diligent one that shows love for its homeland.   Premier Lai called for better negotiation and collaboration between the executive and legislative branches of the government as he visited the leaders of Legislative Yuan and the leaders of caucuses from opposition parties.