President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) cancelled all public activities yesterday but consulted influential figures of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) about future strategies, after his party was pummeled in Saturday's local government elections.
Since the DPP's setback, the public has been expecting Chen's response, and speculation has grown about a possible Cabinet reshuffle. However, the president has maintained a low profile since Saturday night.
Except for a press release from the Presidential Office late Saturday night expressing Chen's appreciation for the peaceful nature of the elections, he has made no public comment on Saturday's vote.
Yesterday morning, Presidential Office Secretary-General Yu Shyi-kun received representatives of the "Top Ten Outstanding Young People in Taiwan in 2005" on behalf of Chen, who was originally scheduled to appear at the event.
Chen met with Vice President Annette Lu (
Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Ma Yung-cheng (馬永成) said yesterday that the president needs one or two more days to think over the situation.
"President Chen may not have an immediate answer [to questions regarding the election]. He also said it was not a good time to respond to the resignation proposed by Premier Hsieh," Ma said.
Ma said that Chen stayed home on Sunday reviewing the strategies adopted by the DPP and only discussed some key issues regarding politics and the economy with his key assistants. As for a possible Cabinet reshuffle, Ma said it may not take place in the immediate future.
"The important thing at this moment is to figure out better schemes [to govern the country]. After figuring out what to do, personnel issues will be considered," Ma said.
Ma also said that a planned second economic development advisory conference may be postponed to early next year in order to have sufficient time to prepare. Before the election, Chen said that the government would convene the conference this month.
The DPP, which previously controlled nine cities and counties -- won only six out of 23 city and county government chief posts in the elections.
Political observers have attributed the DPP's failure in the elections to recent scandals that hurt the party's image, and insufficient efforts to strengthen government functions. Su announced his resignation shortly after the electoral results came in. However, opposition parties have urged Chen to shoulder the responsibility, and are still waiting for his reaction.
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