The gladiatorial grudge match between the ruling and opposition parties was postponed yesterday as the Legislative Yuan delayed a vote on a proposal for a recall of the president and vice president. If this represents a lack of opposition zeal in pursuing what is a frivolous and vindictive measure, it is good news. If, however, it just marks a respite before attacking with renewed energy, there is still much to fear. In the next few days, both sides may go all out to win votes and even more fierce street confrontations could take place, intensifying the polarization of society. Or communication and negotiation could be speeded up, facilitating some sort of reconciliation.
The idea of a recall motion has escalated from a legislative issue into street protests. The office of Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng
Both DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh
The secretaries-general of the three opposition parties held a joint meeting yesterday for the first time, in which they swore to act in the interest of the people of Taiwan. The parties would be wise to take note of the mood of the people. Although most people oppose the discontinuation of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, more than half of them also oppose the current move to recall the president. Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) administration has certainly made mistakes, but so far its errors do not warrant a recall.
Without the justification of popular support, recalling a president who has been in office less than six months for failing to get his government on track and for dissatisfaction over his handling of administrative policy seems unreasonable. In addition, between the proposal of recall and a popular vote on the issue, our society will undergo half a year of chaos. The enormous social costs are not a price that Taiwan's fragile economy can afford.
The New Wave Faction
The question is how will the opposition and ruling party find a way out of their current standoff? Since Chen lacks an impartial stance on the nuclear plant controversy, we suggest that former president Lee Teng-hui (
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