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Chen lists second phase of reforms

Second phase reforms * Putting the three labor rights -- freedom of association, the right to bargain collectively and the right to strike -- into the Constitution. * Putting the Partnership Treaty between the Aboriginal Peoples and Government of Taiwan into the Constitution. * Abolishing the provincial government. * Possibly changing to a three-branch government system instead of the current five-branch system. * Clarifying whether Taiwan will have a presidential system or a Cabinet system.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday declared that his planned second phase of constitutional reform will enhance the nation's human rights protection, streamline government and clarify whether the country will operate under a presidential or Cabinet system.

Chen made the remarks in a speech at the annual convention of the Lions Club International held at the National College of Physical Education and Sports in Taoyuan County.

Chen stressed the importance of the upcoming first phase of constitutional reforms and lauded the public support they have received, saying that the revision of the Constitution is a concrete action to implement the government's commitment to reform.

"The people of Taiwan chose a correct path: A path that leads to democracy, freedom, peace and human rights," Chen said. "We are happy to see that people once again made a wise decision in the National Assembly elections held on May 14 and that over 80 percent of the total votes approved of the constitutional reforms."

The first phase of constitutional reform includes: abolishing the National Assembly, halving the number of legislative seats from 225 to 113, extending legislators' terms from three years to four years, adopting a new "single-member district, two-vote" system for legislative elections to replace the existing "multi-member district, single-vote" system and enshrining the public right to referendums in the Constitution.

The second phase of reforms would further consolidate the nation's democratic government, Chen said.

"In addition to promoting the country's competitiveness and good government, the second-phase constitutional reforms will be closely linked to the extension of human rights protections," Chen said.

"We will not only enshrine the three labor rights into the Constitution but also put the Partnership Treaty Between the Aboriginal Peoples and Government of Taiwan in the special chapter for Aborigines," Chen said.

The three labor rights are freedom of association, the right to bargain collectively and the right to strike.

As for the future governmental system, Chen said that after abolishing the National Assembly as soon as it approves the first phase of constitutional reforms, the next step will be to abolish the provincial government. The second phase of reform will also include a possible reorganization of the government's structure.

"We have to examine whether Taiwan should use a three-branch governmental system (三權分立) or the current five-branch governmental system (五權分立) and whether Taiwan's political system is a presidential system or a Cabinet system," Chen said. "I will seek each political party's participation and support for the constitutional reforms with all-out efforts."

The current governmental system has been criticized for not clearly specifying the division of power between the popularly elected president and the premier, who heads the Executive Yuan.
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