Simon Chang cabinet explained

Cabinet Name:Simon Chang cabinet
Jurisdiction:the Republic of China
Cabinet Number:47th
Cabinet Type:premiership
Flag:Flag_of_Taiwan.svg
Government Head:Simon Chang
Deputy Government Head:Woody Duh
Government Head History:Vice Premier (2014–16)
State Head:Ma Ying-jeou
Political Parties:KMT
Legislature Status:Minority government
Opposition Parties:DPP
Opposition Leader:Tsai Ing-wen
Legislature Term:8th Legislative Yuan
Previous:Mao cabinet
Successor:Lin cabinet

Simon Chang cabinet refers to the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 1 February to 20 May 2016, headed by Premier Simon Chang. Most popular in the past eight years of Kuomintang governance, it was the first ministry led by an independent premier since 1928, and the last under President Ma Ying-jeou after the ruling party was defeated in the presidential election.

History

On 16 January 2016, Mao Chi-kuo resigned as premier following the ruling Kuomintang's defeat in both presidential and legislative election.[1] Simon Chang, then vice premier, became the acting premier.[2] President Ma Ying-jeou dismissed the Mao cabinet on 25 January, and appointed Chang as the successor on 1 February.[3]

According to pollsters, the Chang cabinet had the highest approval rate amongst ministries during Ma's tenure, even surpassing the presidency's popularity.[4] The administration won appreciation over the handling of the aftermath of the 2016 southern Taiwan earthquake,[5] which happened just five days after the cabinet assumed office.

The cabinet resigned on 12 May amidst the upcoming transfer of power,[6] and was succeeded by the Lin cabinet after Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition inaugurated as the president.[7]

Cabinet

Ministers of independent agency unaffected by the resignation of cabinets:

Opinion polls

PeriodConducted byApproveDisapprove
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Early MayTISR[8] 48.5%18.3%
Late AprilTISR[9] 45.5%20.2%
Early AprilTISR[10] 47.8%17.0%
Late MarchTISR[11] 46.9%20.6%
Early MarchTISR49.8%15.5%
Late FebruaryTISR[12] 44.5%16.2%

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 阿Ken . 16 January 2016 . 行政院長毛治國請辭 :不接受慰留,呼籲多數黨組閣 . Premier Mao declines to stay on and resigns, urges majority party to form cabinet . 30 July 2023 . The News Lens . zh-TW.
  2. Web site: 18 January 2016 . 總統批准內閣總辭前 毛治國都將請假 . Mao takes leave before President approves cabinet resignation . 30 July 2023 . Liberty Times . zh-TW.
  3. Web site: 25 January 2016 . Vice Premier Chang San-cheng to assume premiership . 30 July 2023 . Executive Yuan .
  4. Web site: 14 March 2016 . 「台灣民心動態調查、兩岸現狀與一中」民調新聞稿 . Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey (Early March) press release . 31 July 2023 . TISR . zh-tw.
  5. Web site: 震災後 TVBS民調:88%滿意賴清德救災 . 88% approve Lai's post-earthquake's relief: TVBS poll . 31 July 2023 . TVBS . zh-tw.
  6. Web site: 12 May 2016 . 張善政內閣總辭 馬總統將批准520生效 . President Ma to approve Chang cabinet's resignation, effective on 20 May . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160610123312/http://www.appledaily.com.tw/realtimenews/article/new/20160512/859651/ . 10 June 2016 . Apple Daily.
  7. Web site: 張善政卸任澄清移民說 自行駕車告別行政院 . Chang clarifies on immigrants comment as he leaves office . 31 July 2023 . ETToday . zh-TW.
  8. Web site: 「台灣民心動態調查、520及政治人物印象」民調新聞稿 . Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey (Early May) press release . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160521040646/http://www.tisr.com.tw/?p=6745#more-6745 . 21 May 2016 . 9 December 2016 . TISR . zh-tw.
  9. Web site: 28 April 2016 . 「台灣民心動態調查、兩岸及美豬議題」民調新聞稿 . Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey (Late April) press release . 31 July 2023 . TISR . zh-tw.
  10. Web site: 14 April 2016 . 「台灣民心動態調查、總統犯罪與特赦」民調新聞稿 . Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey (Early April) press release . 31 July 2023 . TISR . zh-tw.
  11. Web site: 31 March 2016 . 「台灣民心動態調查、新政府美中關係」民調新聞稿 . Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey (Late March) press release . 31 July 2023 . TISR . zh-tw.
  12. Web site: 25 February 2016 . 「台灣民心動態調查、政黨輪替過渡期」民調新聞稿 . Taiwan Mood Barometer Survey (Late February) press release . 31 July 2023 . TISR . zh-tw.