It has been several weeks since the new government took over. The performance of some new Cabinet members such as Minister of Justice Chen Ding-nan (
But the biggest embarrassment is none other than the "vice president problem." Ever since the election victory on March 18, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) has flagrantly treated Chen's victory as her own. The English speech she gave during the victory celebration completely contradicted Chen's words. She was allegedly going to lash out against the Chinese leadership during the speech. Thank heaven the speech was changed in time. Otherwise, we might very well have an international crisis on hand.
However, Lu remains undaunted. She proclaimed that she will unequivocally refuse to be the "Mrs Chen" in politics. Her controversial behavior and talks have generated one debate after another. For example, she had threatened that, unless the Acting Taoyuan County Commissioner was hand picked by her, she would refuse to attend the inauguration. In her personal capacity, she even publicly supported the long-outdated theory that "Taiwan's status remains undefined." The talk of course triggered strong resentment from opposition parties. As a result Tsai had to tactfully acknowledge during the general interpellation that the Vice President does not have any legal authority. To pacify public outrage, Tang Yao-ming (
Lu's controversial style, of course, caused a storm within the media. Not only does she lack the ability to repent, but she casts the blame on the media. In fact, she had repeatedly requested that certain reporters be penalized, at the risk of injuring the DPP's democratic image. Her stubborn ways have caused Beijing to suspect that the new government is playing a "two-hand policy," jeopardizing the new government's cross-strait policy and overall image. Public approval of President Chen's administration has also suffered as a result.
Since the "President and Vice President Election Recall Law (
The new government's other policy difficulties result primarily from the lack of coordination and understanding between the new Cabinet members. However, these problems seem minor and more likely to be resolved compared with the obstacles Lu presents.
The "vice president problem" can only be solved by President Chen. His benevolent demeanor and tolerance have apparently not worked well. Lu has in fact gone further into the deep end. Chen is currently busy attending the graduation ceremonies of various schools and may soon make a visit overseas for the first time in his presidential capacity and his supporters are becoming worried. After all, a new president enjoys a honeymoon period of three months at most. As he enjoys his greatest popularity during that period, it is also the best time to deal with difficult problems. If Chen does not deal with this serious problem then, the "vice president problem" may only become increasingly unmanageable when the honeymoon is over.
Julian Kuo is an associate professor of political science at the Soochow University.
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