The Cabinet resigned on Thursday pending May 20’s inauguration as the administration prepares to change hands.
Video script: Cabinet Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) and other ministry and committee heads gathered today to take “graduation photos” marking their resignation and signifying the end of their service for the term. Officials appeared to be in a chipper mood as they chatted and posed for photographs in the sunshine.
At the meeting Thursday morning, Chen received a medal and thanked his fellow Cabinet members for their years of service and support. They also listened to a briefing on their achievements during the past eight years. Chen was especially thankful for the messages his coworkers had left for him, referring to the gesture as his ideal graduation gift.
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) made a special effort to attend the meeting’s reception. She thanked the Cabinet for their assistance in solving a number of infrastructure challenges in Taichung, including the construction of transportation infrastructure and the second phase of Taichung’s International Convention and Exhibition Center construction.
The incoming Cabinet will have to contend with a controversy regarding the appointment of National Taiwan University Professor of Law Chiang Huang-chih (姜皇池). Chiang, who is a prospective member of the National Security Council, had previously been involved in a leak of exam questions in 2014.
Recent Chinese sanctions against five Taiwanese political commentators will pose an additional challenge. Cabinet Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) expressed concern regarding the impact of these sanctions on cross-strait relations.
Now that the Cabinet has stepped down, no major policies will be approved before May 19.