The cabinet of Cho Jung-tai is under pressure for a reshuffle—the heads of five ministries may be replaced; the formation of a combat cabinet is imminent.

Taiwan • Politics • 05/06 11:06
The cabinet of Cho Jung-tai is under pressure for a reshuffle—the heads of five ministries may be replaced; the formation of a combat cabinet is imminent.

Premier Cho Jung-tai's cabinet is facing pressure for a reshuffle, with rumors suggesting the government will transform into a "war cabinet" to address the nationwide recall election and legislative by-elections. Five ministers, including Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Chih-hui, have been named as possible candidates for replacement. The Executive Yuan clarified that the reshuffle rumors are false, but public pressure continues to rise. The "Apple Poll" is open for voting to gauge public satisfaction with governance and opinions on the potential reshuffle. The poll is open until 3 PM on May 9.

Key Updates

18h ago

Premier Cho Jung-tai of the Executive Yuan firmly supports energy transition and calls on the Legislative Yuan to allocate NT$100 billion to Taipower to stabilize electricity prices.

On May 9, 2025, Premier Cho Jung-tai reiterated in an exclusive interview that the government's second energy transition policy is correct. He emphasized the allocation of NT$100 billion to Taiwan Power Company to offset losses and stabilize electricity rates, thereby preventing industries from facing pressure due to electricity rates and tariffs. Taiwan Power Company promised not to raise electricity rates this year if the allocation is granted. With the decommissioning of the No. 2 unit at the Third Nuclear Power Plant, Taiwan has entered a nuclear-free era, drawing attention to energy policies. Cho Jung-tai urged the Legislative Yuan to support the allocation proposal, emphasizing the importance of advancing green energy development alongside maintaining power stability.

05/09 11:04

President of Taiwan, William Lai, is promoting the integration of smart medical care and health tech, with the goal of creating a trillion-dollar biomedical industry.

On May 9, 2025, President Lai Ching-te announced at the "2025 Biotechnology Strategy Annual Conference" that the government will promote the biomedical industry to become Taiwan's "national treasure" through smart healthcare and health technology, incorporating it into the core policy blueprint. President Lai emphasized the importance of cross-sector integration, regulatory easing, and technology application, and expressed gratitude for the support of the National Biotechnology and Medical Industry Promotion Association. On the same day, he attended the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, noting that the different ways countries commemorate the day reflect the diversity of historical interpretations.

05/08 23:02

Taiwan's Long-term Care 3.0 Initiative Set to Begin in 2026: Tackling Workforce Shortages and Gaps in Assessing Patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to implement the "Long-term Care 3.0" policy in 2026 to address manpower shortages with measures like tiered task allocation, improving salaries, and introducing assistive devices and smart technology. The new policy will expand services to cover early-onset dementia and stroke patients and encourage middle-aged and older adults to get involved. However, there are calls for system integration due to inconsistent eligibility criteria for osteogenesis imperfecta patients between the disability assessment system and the long-term care assessment system.

05/07 23:02

Taiwan's flexible parental leave pilot program receives a cold reception: Only 24 companies have applied, with complicated procedures and staffing issues being the main reasons.

The Ministry of Labor has been piloting the "Flexible Unpaid Parental Leave" system since May 9, 2023, allowing leave to be taken on a day-by-day basis to help parents cope with unexpected childcare needs. By the end of the year, 89 companies participated, but only 24 actually applied for leave, resulting in a total of 212 leave instances, with an average leave duration of less than three days. Companies reported that the application process is cumbersome and that making staffing adjustments is challenging, which affects their willingness to use the system. The Ministry of Labor is collecting feedback and considering a redesign of the system.

05/07 13:02

The Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party's proposal to remove the budget for Taipower's subsidies has ignited a political battle: The Democratic Progressive Party is concerned about rising electricity prices, while the Taiwan People's Party criticizes the energy policy for its mistakes.

The Executive Yuan proposed a special bill amounting to 410 billion NT dollars, and the Kuomintang and the Taiwan People's Party proposed to remove the 100 billion NT dollar allocation for Taipower, sparking a debate between the ruling and opposition parties. The Democratic Progressive Party criticized this move, claiming it would lead to an increase in electricity prices, affecting small and medium-sized enterprises and the general economy, and accused the opposition of broadly distributing cash, which does not contribute to industrial transformation. The Taiwan People's Party countered, arguing that the pressure on electricity prices is due to flawed energy policies, and advocated for reforms in nuclear and green energy policies to resolve Taipower's deficit problems.

05/07 09:03

William Lai proposed five major policies ahead of Mother's Day: focusing on childcare, youth development, and developing the nursing workforce.

President William Lai proposed five major policies at the Democratic Progressive Party's Central Executive Committee meeting on May 7, focusing on family care, youth development, and the medical workforce. The policies include strengthening social investment, promoting parental leave and subsidies, enhancing childcare services, passing the draft of the "Youth Basic Law," and initiating an NT$275 billion nursing workforce plan, along with advocating for the legal establishment of nurse-to-patient ratios. These measures aim to meet the needs of modern families, support the next generation, and strengthen the care system.

05/06 11:06

The cabinet of Cho Jung-tai is under pressure for a reshuffle—the heads of five ministries may be replaced; the formation of a combat cabinet is imminent.

Premier Cho Jung-tai's cabinet is facing pressure for a reshuffle, with rumors suggesting the government will transform into a "war cabinet" to address the nationwide recall election and legislative by-elections. Five ministers, including Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Chih-hui, have been named as possible candidates for replacement. The Executive Yuan clarified that the reshuffle rumors are false, but public pressure continues to rise. The "Apple Poll" is open for voting to gauge public satisfaction with governance and opinions on the potential reshuffle. The poll is open until 3 PM on May 9.

05/05 11:30

The Executive Yuan denies rumors of a cabinet reshuffle under Lai Ching-te, stating it is focused on addressing international challenges.

Media reports suggest that Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te might conduct a cabinet reorganization after May 20, involving several heads of ministries, which has drawn attention. Cabinet spokesperson Li Hui-chih dismissed this rumor on May 5, calling it misinformation and emphasizing that there are no plans for such a reorganization. The Cabinet is currently focused on addressing the impact of U.S. tariffs and international developments on Taiwan, and is promoting a special act on economic, social, and national security resilience to stabilize the situation.

05/05 03:06

The Mayor of Taipei, Chiang Wan-an, Leads in Online Presence: Calls on the Government to Address High Tariffs from the US and Internal Challenges

In April 2025, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an had the highest online visibility among county and city leaders in Taiwan and became a political focal point due to his shift from a moderate to a more hardline stance. He openly criticized the Democratic Progressive Party in the city council and urged the government to tackle the high tariffs imposed by the United States and domestic challenges, and called for an end to political infighting. Chiang Wan-an emphasized that his words and actions reflect the opinions of the grassroots and expressed support for Kuomintang legislators facing recall efforts, and urged the central government to focus on livelihood issues.

05/04 13:01

Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu reaffirmed the economic slogan at the labor appreciation event, highlighting the crucial role of labor in Taiwan's economy.

On May 4, 2025, President of the Legislative Yuan Han Kuo-yu attended the National Labor Union Federation's "2025 Model Worker Commendation Conference" in Taipei, emphasizing the reliance of Taiwan's economy on the hard work of its labor force and urging the government to focus on the labor needs of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as traditional industries. He reiterated the economic slogan, "Goods must be exported, and people must be welcomed," and highlighted the pressure U.S. tariffs place on Taiwan's small and medium-sized enterprises, urging the government to offer more support to tackle international trade challenges.

Cabinet Reshuffle Rumors Abound, Cho Jung-tai Emphasizes "United with Sincerity"

Since May 2024, rumors about a cabinet reshuffle after May 20 have been intensifying. Media reports suggest that President Lai Ching-te intends to adjust the cabinet after his first anniversary in office, transforming it into a "battle-ready cabinet" to face the nationwide recall vote expected to be held from late July to early August and the subsequent legislative by-elections.

Facing external doubts and pressure, Premier Cho Jung-tai has repeatedly stated publicly that the government is currently fully responding to changes in international tariffs and trade situations, and is striving for the "Special Act on Strengthening Security Resilience" and a special budget. He emphasized, "At this time, the cabinet team remains united with sincerity."

Five Ministers Named as Possible Changes

Despite multiple denials from the Executive Yuan regarding reshuffle rumors, several media outlets and political figures have pointed out that five ministers have been listed as potential changes:

  1. Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Chih-hui: Recently criticized for frequently inviting public officials to dine at restaurants under the Transcend Group, which he founded, raising suspicions of favoritism towards his former company. Although Kuo has transferred his shares and claimed all expenses were personally paid, his family still holds shares in Transcend valued at over 2.1 billion NT dollars, sparking controversy over conflicts of interest.

  2. Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang: When asked by the media if she was on the reshuffle list, Liu only responded with "Thank you for your guidance," without directly denying it. She also stated that whether there will be a reshuffle should be "consulted with Premier Cho."

  3. Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan: Under heavy pressure in promoting medical and social welfare policies, he is also listed as a possible candidate for change.

  4. Minister of National Defense Koo Li-hsiung: With national defense policies and the progress of domestic submarine construction under scrutiny, recent personnel changes within the Ministry of National Defense have also sparked speculation.

  5. Chairman of the National Development Council Liu Ching-ching: As a key driver of national development policies, Liu Ching-ching has also been named as a potential adjustment.

Executive Yuan and Presidential Office Response: No Reshuffle Plans Currently

In response to reshuffle rumors, Executive Yuan spokesperson Lee Hui-chih clearly stated, "This is incorrect information, purely speculative." She emphasized that the current administrative team is actively responding to the impact of U.S. reciprocal tariffs and international situations on Taiwan's industries, and is promoting the "Special Act on Strengthening Economic, Social, and Homeland Security Resilience in Response to International Situations."

The Presidential Office did not directly respond to the reshuffle issue, only stating that if there are any cabinet personnel changes, they will be announced to the public in due course as per usual practice.

Rising Pressure from Opposition Parties and the Public

Several legislators from the People's Party and the Kuomintang have expressed dissatisfaction with Cho Jung-tai's cabinet, calling for a complete reshuffle. People's Party Legislative Caucus Leader Huang Kuo-chang bluntly stated, "Taiwan does not need a government that constantly talks nonsense and does nothing." He believes that if only ministers are replaced without changing Premier Cho Jung-tai, the reshuffle will be meaningless.

Kuomintang legislator Hsu Yu-jen criticized Cho's cabinet for "engaging in political struggles internally and only knowing how to kneel and surrender externally," and called for "changing both soldiers and generals."

Former legislator Kuo Cheng-liang pointed out that the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of the Interior are about to face a wave of unemployment and social pressure, indicating that whoever takes over will face significant challenges, showing the difficulty of the reshuffle.

Poll Voting Underway, Ends on May 9

The "Apple Daily Poll" is open for public voting on the performance of Cho Jung-tai's administrative team and whether it should be reshuffled. Survey questions include: "Are you satisfied with the overall governance of Cho Jung-tai's administrative team?" and "Do you think the administrative team should be reshuffled?" The voting is one person, one vote, and the deadline is 3 PM on May 9, 2025.

The results of this poll will be an important indicator of public opinion trends and may indirectly influence whether the cabinet is reshuffled.

Overlap of Recall Vote and Cabinet Adjustment Timing

According to current plans, the third phase of the nationwide recall vote may fall between late July and early August. The timing of the cabinet reshuffle rumors is widely interpreted as a strategic adjustment by the ruling party to face the recall and legislative by-elections. Although Cho Jung-tai emphasizes "not changing leaders before the battle," whether the cabinet can maintain its current state remains to be seen.

References

People Also Ask...

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Is the Cho Jung-tai cabinet really going to be reorganized, or is it just a rumor?

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Rumors are flying everywhere about Chuo Jong-tai's cabinet reshuffle. Could this affect the advancement of Taiwan's technology policies?

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How credible are the rumors about the pressure for a reshuffle facing Cho Jung-tai's cabinet this time?