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Lai announces premier pick
President-elect Lai Ching-te says he expects to form a “proactive” and “innovative” new cabinet to address challenges both at home and abroad, in the face of increasing global competition. Lai said he believes it is necessary to form a cabinet that can “turn challenges into opportunities to promote Taiwan's continued progress.”
The president-elect also announced the appointment of former DPP Chairman Cho Jung-tai as the next premier, who he called the perfect choice for premier. Lai said Cho was “known for his communication skills, is familiar with issues at various levels of government and legislative bodies and can prioritize national interests ahead of party differences.” And he went on to say that he hopes the new premier will be able to form an “active and innovative AI cabinet.”
Meanwhile, Cho told reporters after accepting the appointment that the cabinet under his leadership will employ technology to boost efficiency. Former Culture Minister Cheng Li-chiun has been appointed vice premier, while current National Development Council minister Kung Ming-hsin will serve as cabinet secretary-general.
The Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) are lukewarm to the new cabinet picks. KMT Chairman Eric Chu saying the cabinet appointments will adhere to the personal will of Lai and the DPP, and the appointments do not reflect majority public opinion in the Legislative Yuan.
TPP spokeswoman Celina Wu says talk of innovation by Lai and Cho was solely aimed at attaching the “AI” label to something and the cabinet should instead spend its time formulating “the right policies.”
