Presidential Office: Mayor's job is city affairs, no-confidence is legislature's role; Chiang asks Lai: What happened to 'shouldering responsibility'?

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has directly challenged President Lai Ching-te, questioning his commitment to "shouldering responsibility" in the face of ongoing food safety concerns. Chiang asserted that food safety is a municipal issue and criticized Lai for not convening a national security meeting to address the matter.

Chiang's remarks came after the Presidential Office and the Executive Yuan stated that municipal affairs are the mayor's domain, and that no-confidence motions are the legislature's prerogative. The Presidential Office emphasized that the mayor's focus should be on investigating food safety issues and holding necessary meetings, rather than on legislative powers.

“

Food safety is a municipal issue, what's the problem?

Recalling Lai's statements from 12 years prior, where he reportedly pledged to take full responsibility, Chiang demanded to know if a national security meeting had been convened. "Where is your national security meeting? How long will you continue to hide? Come out and face the public, explain clearly, and solve the problem," Chiang urged the President.

The mayor's comments follow a proposal by some Kuomintang legislators to initiate a no-confidence vote against the government. While Chiang indicated that such a move would require consensus within his party and support from the Taiwan People's Party, he suggested that the legislators' proposal stems from dissatisfaction with the government's response to the "poisoned oil" incident.

“

12 years ago, President Lai Ching-te personally said the president must shoulder responsibility. National security meetings were convened, food safety is national security. President Lai, where is your national security meeting? How long will you continue to hide? Come out and face the public, explain clearly, and solve the problem.