With an outstanding record as Kaohsiung mayor, Frank Hsieh (
Hsieh's minority Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government in Kaohsiung City had itself encountered relentless acts of obstruction and boycotts in the city council.
Hsieh adopted a low-key approach and quietly negotiated with the opposition parties. In doing so, Hsieh gradually won over the support of city councilors regardless of affiliation. Hsieh's achievements in Kaohsiung have been impressive, earning him solid support in that electorate, support which should transfer to the national stage.
Chen has stated that the next Cabinet should focus on negotiation, dialogue and stability. This can only impress and benefit a public with political battle fatigue. Hsieh's softer approach, intelligence and sense of humor are the qualities needed for the job, if anyone is going to pull it off.
A number of legislative bills that fueled opposition protests during Yu Shyi-kun's term as premier -- such as the arms procurement package -- have passed through the most difficult phase, and this might allow the government and the opposition to become more cooperative.
The previous Cabinet also failed to adequately sell its well-intended policies to the public and the opposition. This should be avoided by the Hsieh Cabinet.
The Cabinet should also form an administrative team that can implement negotiations with legislators behind the scenes, and so share Hsieh's burden in pushing through policies of national importance.
Over the last three years, the Yu Cabinet has been hamstrung by the DPP's bitter conflict with the pan-blue camp. Members of the Chen administration have been unwilling to communicate face-to-face with hostile legislators and provide a clear explanation of government policy.
The result of this was that negotiations between the DPP and the pan-blue camp were conducted between legislators who were already sharply divided. The result was a repeated breakdown in communication.
To achieve a better result, the DPP should show a sincere willingness to share government resources, releasing a portion of them for use by opposition parties. It should be more accepting of the needs of the opposition.
Only in this way will successful communication and negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties be possible, and only in this way will a resolution of the confrontation that exists in the legislature be found.
Because there is still a minority government, Hsieh must show the political acumen that he displayed as Kaohsiung mayor and develop a good understanding with the members of the new legislature.
In this way he will be able to assist the DPP administration create an atmosphere of detente. Only then will the DPP be in a position to focus on cross-strait issues, promote Taiwan's economic development and assist Chen in building a brighter future for the country.
China has not been a top-tier issue for much of the second Trump administration. Instead, Trump has focused considerable energy on Ukraine, Israel, Iran, and defending America’s borders. At home, Trump has been busy passing an overhaul to America’s tax system, deporting unlawful immigrants, and targeting his political enemies. More recently, he has been consumed by the fallout of a political scandal involving his past relationship with a disgraced sex offender. When the administration has focused on China, there has not been a consistent throughline in its approach or its public statements. This lack of overarching narrative likely reflects a combination
Behind the gloating, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) must be letting out a big sigh of relief. Its powerful party machine saved the day, but it took that much effort just to survive a challenge mounted by a humble group of active citizens, and in areas where the KMT is historically strong. On the other hand, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) must now realize how toxic a brand it has become to many voters. The campaigners’ amateurism is what made them feel valid and authentic, but when the DPP belatedly inserted itself into the campaign, it did more harm than good. The
For nearly eight decades, Taiwan has provided a home for, and shielded and nurtured, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). After losing the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the KMT fled to Taiwan, bringing with it hundreds of thousands of soldiers, along with people who would go on to become public servants and educators. The party settled and prospered in Taiwan, and it developed and governed the nation. Taiwan gave the party a second chance. It was Taiwanese who rebuilt order from the ruins of war, through their own sweat and tears. It was Taiwanese who joined forces with democratic activists
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) held a news conference to celebrate his party’s success in surviving Saturday’s mass recall vote, shortly after the final results were confirmed. While the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) would have much preferred a different result, it was not a defeat for the DPP in the same sense that it was a victory for the KMT: Only KMT legislators were facing recalls. That alone should have given Chu cause to reflect, acknowledge any fault, or perhaps even consider apologizing to his party and the nation. However, based on his speech, Chu showed
RSS