Ex-VP Chen Chien-jen appointed premier

Taipei, Jan. 27 (CNA) Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) will replace Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) as the leader of Taiwan's Cabinet, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) announced Friday.

At a press conference at the Presidential Office to announce Chen's appointment as premier, Tsai described the former vice president as the best person to unite the nation at a time when Taiwan faces various challenges ahead.

"As a benevolent, selfless, and dedicated person," Chen is the most suitable candidate to lead the Cabinet, Tsai added.

Chen, 71, served as vice president during Tsai's first term in office, from 2016-2020, during which time he was known for coordinating efforts to reform the government's pension system and passing a special law to legalize same-sex marriage.

After completing his four-year term as vice president, Chen returned to a research career at Academia Sinica's Genomics Research Center. The new premier previously served as vice president of the national academy from 2011-2015.

Tsai invited Chen to form the Cabinet on Wednesday after Su tendered his resignation on Jan. 19, a reshuffle prompted by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's bruising defeat in local government elections in November last year.

The president thanked Su, calling him her "biggest supporter" over the past four years.

According to sources, the Su Cabinet is expected to resign en masse on Jan. 30, with a handover ceremony for the new and outgoing Cabinet members scheduled for the following day.