Taiwan premier resigns to help shore up president's falling popularity

Record ID: 908825

  • Title: Taiwan premier resigns to help shore up president's falling popularity
  • Date: 4th September 2017
  • Summary: TAIPEI, TAIWAN (SEPTEMBER 4, 2017) (REUTERS) ****WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** TAIWAN PREMIER, LIN CHUAN, ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHERS NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS CAMERAMEN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TAIWAN PREMIER, LIN CHUAN, SAYING: "I told the president that I didn't intend to hold the position of premier for too long, and by 'too long', I mean by next year's communal elections. I'm sure there will be a lot of political problems surfacing, and to me, that is not where my interests lie. I think that will be very strenuous work, and this is why I don't intend to be premier for so long, and I hope that someone else can take on the job before (next year's communal elections)." REPORTER ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TAIWAN PREMIER, LIN CHUAN, SAYING: "So after I went through this exchange of opinions, I raised (my opinion) to the president and we also exchanged opinions regarding potentially suitable candidates. At the same time, we also came to a consensus and of course, the president also (expressed) hope that I can consider the wishes of the people in question, but I think that part is for the president to explain, so I will say nothing further on this here." NEWS CONFERENCE ENDING
  • Embargoed: 18th September 2017 11:12
  • Keywords: Taiwan premier Lin Chuan resigns falling popularity Tsai Ing-wen
  • Location: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
  • City: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
  • Country: Taiwan
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016X6KJ7P
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has accepted the resignation of Premier Lin Chuan, the ruling party said on Monday (September 4), a departure that had been widely expected because of the president's falling public support.
    Taiwan presidents often shuffle premiers in response to dips in popularity. Lin had faced mounting pressure to step down as Tsai's popularity plummeted to 29.8 percent by August, a private foundation survey has shown. When she took office in May 2016, her approval rating was as high as 70 percent. Tsai is likely to be looking ahead to her 2020 re-election campaign.
    William Lai, the popular mayor of the southern city of Tainan and a leading DPP figure, is widely expected to replace Lin. A Lai premiership would not necessary help the president to improve her ratings, some analysts said.
    Under Taiwan's system, the president is the more important office, holding the jobs of commander in chief and head of state. The prime minister is appointed by the president to lead the cabinet.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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