Editorial: The making of a government

It is unfortunate that the KMT's post-election woes are occupying the thoughts of so many political analysts, not to mention dominating the media. For the second-biggest issue facing Taiwan right now should really be its biggest: how President-elect Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is going to form his "cross-party, multi-ethnic" government.

It would, of course, be an understatement to say that before him lies a daunting task. Looking at the incumbent Cabinet, it is hard to see how Chen will be able to keep many, or indeed any, of its members. Though the next president would obviously prefer to maintain stability in the most sensitive portfolios, such as finance, economic affairs, economic planning and development, defense, and mainland affairs, almost all are filled by either staunch KMT loyalists or individuals who are probably not strong enough without KMT backing to get the job done effectively.

Likewise, in the ministries where Chen will surely want to make his mark in the quickest manner possible, such as interior affairs, justice and foreign affairs, he does not have a deep pool of experience to draw from within his own ranks. Moreover, it will be extremely difficult to satisfy the ambitions of many in the DPP who helped him get elected, while at the same time making appointments on the basis of merit.

On top of all this, Chen must weigh in consideration the legislative majority that the KMT has stacked against him -- regardless of speculation as to whether that majority will disintegrate as a result of post-Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) infighting.

All this probably goes toward explaining why Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) has not yet reached a final decision on whether to accept the position of Premier -- though it is clear that he must. Even with such an unimpeachable background, it will be the decision of his career, probably his life, to step into this job, with all the angst and uncertainty it promises to deliver.

Yet it is by bringing Lee into the picture that a ray of hope begins to shine on the scenario of a Chen administration. Never before has Taiwan had a premier of such moral standing, who would carry an enormous advantage of widespread public support in dealing with the Legislative Yuan. His acceptance of the position would give Chen a flying start in his mission to reform the government while at the same time ensuring maximum stability throughout politics and society.

At the same time, it has to be said that the people of Taiwan could not hope for a better person at the top to carry their mandate of reform. Chen is a proven administrator who showed during his four-year stint at the Taipei City Government what can be done to turn a proverbial supertanker of a bureaucracy around in a narrow strait.

What Chen did best in 1994-98, he must attempt to do again now. That is, to bring a freshness and vitality to the ranks of the civil service. What his appointees lack in experience, as they did in Taipei, they can more than make up for in devotion, creativity, and respect for their electorate.

Easier said than done, the cynics will surely say. They would not be wrong. But if Taiwan is to continue along the path its people have chosen, then cynicism must be conquered by faith in the future and the ability of the new government to deliver on its campaign promises. Taiwan has been given a new beginning; now it is time to develop a new spirit. This newspaper, for one, is confident than Chen and Lee together can do the job.