President-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德) reiterated at a press conference on Thursday his willingness to go to the Legislature to deliver a “state of the nation” address. Lai added that as long as the Legislature invites him, it is in line with his duties to do so, according to the Constitution.
Before Lai’s election in January, the Kuomintang (KMT) party indicated they wanted him to come to the Legislature to take questions, in addition to delivering an address. The Constitution states that the Legislature may hear a report on the state of the nation from the president. However, if Lai complies, he will be the first president to ever actually do so.
KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) stated that the caucus intends to invite Lai to deliver the address after May 20. They also indicated that they would want to responsibly express their attitudes on the current political situation.
President-elect Lai will be sworn in on May 20. He emphasized that if he had the means to go, he would gladly fulfill his duty according to the Constitution, and current legal interpretations.