Head of Taiwan executive authority resigns

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Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen has accepted the resignation of Lin Chuan, head of the island’s executive authority, as the popularity of her administration continues to slide.

Lin said on Monday the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was ready to embark on its “next stage” and he had resigned to allow Tsai to "re-organize her team and resources for that purpose.”

Tsai and the DPP have suffered a dramatic fall in approval ratings over the past year, in part thanks to a series of unpopular reforms.

Lin Chuan (4th L) looks on during a protest in Taipei on July 14, 2017. /AFP Photo

Protests have taken place against proposed pension reforms, which would see the age for a full pension increase from 60 to 65, alongside a gradual increase of the insurance premium to about six percent.

New work rules mandating a regular day off and one flexible rest day per week have also met resistance from both workers and employers.

The presidential office said a successor to Lin would be announced on Tuesday.

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Source(s): Reuters