Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) caused a political stir yesterday when he announced his resignation, less than a week after failing to win the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) 2008 presidential election primary.
Su made the announcement at a press conference after his resignation was approved by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).
Su said that in view of the fact that the president "will need a new lineup to deal with a changed situation during the last year of his tenure," he was willing to step aside to accommodate the changes.
"It is President Chen Shui-bian's last year in office. He will definitely need some room to make new personnel arrangements. I would love to cooperate and leave at this moment so the president can carry out his plan unhindered. I would like the chance to take a break anyway," Su said.
"Although I am leaving the premiership, my heart will always be with Taiwan," added Su, who is affectionately known by his supporters as the "light-bulb," because of his bald head.
After making his announcement, Su shook hands and exchanged hugs with members of his Cabinet.
New Cabinet
It is customary for the entire Cabinet to resign once a premier offers his resignation. The new premier will then nominate his own Cabinet team.
Sources said that Su decided to resign on Thursday. Su then met the president on Friday to obtain his approval.
Following Su's announcement, President Chen held a press conference in the afternoon and said that Su had tendered his resignation for the sake of party unity.
"In a bid to promote harmony within the ruling party, he was willing to relinquish the premiership," Chen said, adding that he totally understood Su's reasons for leaving.
Chen credited Su for his leadership during last year's anti-Chen demonstrations led by former DPP chairman Shih Ming-teh (施明德) and the "financial storm" earlier this year resulting from the Rebar Group scandal.
"Although I don't want to let him go, I respect his decision," Chen said.
"Su gives weight to the bigger picture while disregarding his personal achievements and honor," Chen said. "Such wisdom and breadth of mind should be credited and respected by the people. All politicians should learn from him," he added.
`Selfless spirit'
Chen said Su's withdrawal from the DPP's presidential primary after he lost the party vote to former premier Frank Hsieh (
"He set a good example for the ruling party and won the admiration of the people," Chen said.
As for candidates to succeed Su, Chen said he would evaluate the situation and make a considered choice.
"For Taiwan's future, the people's happiness and the continuity of a government that upholds Taiwan's sovereignty, I have the responsibility to appoint a new premier and organize a new Cabinet within a short period of time," he said.
Asked by reporters for comment on yesterday's events, DPP Legislator Chai Trong-rong (
Wang informed
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) said he had been informed of Su's decision three days ago.
Wang, however, dismissed reports that the Presidential Office had consulted him on who should be the next premier.
Additional reporting by agencies
Also see stories:
Premier's resignation surprises both political camps
Su Tseng-chang's political fortunes change rapidly
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mindanao in the Philippines at 7:38am today, prompting the US Tsunami Warning System to issue an alert for neighboring countries, including Taiwan. The system issued a purple alert indicating a "tsunami threat." The potential threat zone includes Taiwan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Yap and Palau. A spokesperson for Indonesia disaster mitigation agency said there were no reports of damage so far. Arlene Hollero, disaster chief of Maasim town in the Philippines' Sarangani Province, said their evacuation was underway in coastal villages and there were no reported casualties so far. DZBB radio, broadcasting from the
RESILIENCE: Taiwan plays a key role in semiconductors, energy, information infrastructure and advanced manufacturing, AIT Director Raymond Greene said Taiwan’s continued investment in deterrence and resilience remains vital, especially in uncrewed systems and other emerging technologies, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene said yesterday. Greene made the remarks at the annual National Strategic Summit on Supply Chain Resilience held by the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET), a government-backed think tank. As Taiwan last year became the US’ fourth-largest trading partner and supply chain security is becoming more important, cooperation in emerging technologies continues to deepen between the two countries, he said. The US is committed to accelerating innovation, building key infrastructure, strengthening cooperation
The National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology yesterday showcased its locally developed variants of the Vision 60 robotic patrol dog, which it plans to deploy on the nation’s outlying territories in the South China Sea. The variants were produced under the Joint Lab project — created by the institute and domestic companies — and assembled with domestically produced motors, lenses and artificial intelligence (AI) systems alongside licensed tech from the US, Missile and Rocket Systems Research Division deputy director Jen Kuo-kang (任國光) told the media event at a military base in Taipei’s Dazhi (大直) area. Taiwan has built up its strengths
RIGHT DIRECTION: Taiwan’s efforts to prevent forced labor include a proposal to ‘fully prohibit’ employers from withholding workers’ documents, an official said Taiwan is to establish a mechanism to restrict imports of goods linked to forced labor, the Executive Yuan said yesterday, after the US proposed imposing additional tariffs on Taiwanese goods over labor concerns. “The Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Economic Affairs are to establish an interministerial review procedure,” Executive Yuan spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said at a news briefing in Taipei. “The government is to use the Foreign Trade Act [貿易法] as the legal basis to restrict imports of goods produced with forced labor” and bring its supply chain governance more in line with international standards on human rights, resilience
RSS