Inauguration Day!

Yesterday was the official transfer of power from the outgoing Tsai Ing-wen government to the incoming Lai Ching-te government. Last week there were daily flyovers by military helicopters and fighter jets in formation, practicing for Monday’s ceremonies, I think. Here are some videos from the balcony of our apartment:

helicopters viewed from the apartment

fighter jets viewed from the apartment

And yesterday it finally happened–the interval between elections (mid January) and inauguration (mid May) is longer in Taiwan than it is in the US.

Here are some official photos of the incoming and outgoing presidents yesterday:

Incoming president Lai Ching-te taking the oath of office in front of a portrait of Sun Yat-sen, Father of the Nation. Source: https://english.president.gov.tw

Outgoing president Tsai Ing-wen waving goodbye. Source: https://english.president.gov.tw

Here’s how I imagine Tsai and Lai, respectively, feeling yesterday.

How I imagine outgoing president Tsai felt yesterday.

How I imagine incoming president Lai felt.

But what do I know? I’m not a politician and have never wanted to be president of anything. Maybe it’s more exciting to take power, and sadder to relinquish it, than I imagine.