The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday declined to confirm or deny the legitimacy of a list of potential Cabinet members published by the Chinese-language Liberty Times (the Taipei Times’ sister newspaper), despite several people on the list saying that they have been contacted in relation to such positions.
“President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has been contacting [potential candidates] to be appointed as officials in the new government [to be inaugurated on May 20]. Once details are confirmed, the party plans to make a public announcement,” DPP spokesperson Yang Chia-liang (楊家俍) said, adding that an announcement is expected to be made next month, but some positions might be announced earlier, or as soon as they are confirmed.
The Liberty Times cited an “authoritative source” as saying that former minister of finance Lin Chuan (林全) would be appointed premier, Taoyuan Deputy Mayor Chiu Tai-san (邱太三) would serve as the minister of justice, and former Pingtung County commissioner Tsao Chi-hung (曹啟鴻) would head the Council of Agriculture, while Tsai’s policy office executive director Chang Ching-sen (張景森) and National Taiwan University Social Works professor Lin Wan-yi (林萬億), who served as a minister without portfolio during the previous DPP government, would both take over as ministers without portfolio once Tsai is sworn into office in May.
While Yang gave no further details, Chiu, in a separate setting, confirmed to the media that Tsai on Friday asked whether he would be willing to be appointed minister of justice.
“If the president needs me, I will work hard,” Chiu said.
Lin Chuan, Lin Wan-yi, Chang and Tsao could not be reached for comment.
Most DPP lawmakers reacted positively to the list.
Deputy Legislative Speaker Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) said that Chiu would be a strong candidate for any Cabinet position, as he has worked all across Taiwan and has served as a lawmaker for many years as well deputy minister of the Mainland Affairs Council.
DPP Legislator Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) also praised the people named on the list, saying they are top performers in their respective fields.
“Although their reported future positions have not been confirmed, I am sure they would play key roles in the future Cabinet,” Lee said.
Additional reporting by CNA
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