In the 2004 presidential election campaign, I was lucky enough to be one of the people who was allowed to question the candidates in what was the nation's first-ever televised debate between presidential candidates.
My question was this: "During every presidential campaign, the various candidates bring forward a multitude of policy proposals. However, according to the current Constitution, the Cabinet is the nation's highest executive office. Although the Cabinet is answerable to the legislature, it is the president who has the right to appoint the premier. Until the Constitution is amended or until there is a new constitution in place, what role do you think a presidential candidate who promises to abide by the Constitution should play when it comes to formulating public policy if we assume that he or she wants to follow the spirit of constitutionalism and responsible politics? And if the Constitution is amended, or if a new constitution is adopted, in what way do you think the roles of the president and the premier should be adjusted?"
I am still waiting for an answer.
Wang Yeh-lih is a professor of political science at Tunghai University.
Translated by Perry Svensson
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