President Ma Ying-jeou says he has no plans yet to approve Premier Mao Chi-kuo’s resignation. Ma was speaking on Monday during a meeting with US envoy William Burns.
Ma said he is still hoping to meet with President-elect Tsai Ing-wen to discuss his idea of appointing a new premier who has the support of most of the legislators.
Tsai and her party – the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) – won a landslide victory in both the presidential and legislative elections last Saturday. Ma said his suggestion is aimed at maintaining political stability and harmony in Taiwan, and at the same time avoiding government inaction.
Tsai has turned down Ma’s suggestion on constitutional grounds. But Ma says he is still waiting.
“After all, [DPP] Chairwoman Tsai has repeatedly called on everyone to respect public opinion expressed in the elections. A majority in the legislature represents a mandate," said Ma, "Although the premier is preparing to call an extraordinary session of the Cabinet this afternoon to resign en masse, I sincerely hope that Chairwoman Tsai will take my [idea] into serious consideration. Until she does so, I will not approve Premier Mao’s resignation.”
President Ma will step down in late May.