President Ma Ying-jeou has approved Premier Mao Chi-kuo’s resignation and appointed Vice Premier Chang San-cheng as his replacement. That’s the word from Presidential Office Spokesman Charles Chen on Monday.
President Ma had originally hoped that President-elect Tsai Ing-wen would appoint a premier that would take the position when the new legislature takes office on February 1.
But Tsai rejected the suggestion on constitutional grounds. She has decided instead to wait and appoint a premier when she, herself takes office on May 20.
President Ma’s selection for premier – Chang San-cheng -- will take office on February 1, and has already started working to ensure a smooth transfer between the Ma and Tsai adminstrations.