Former premier Tang Fei's (
But the Cabinet reshuffle is also likely to bring about a minority government in which Chen will play a more active role -- as in a presidential system -- and the DPP can employ rule by party factions (派系共治) in the Cabinet, observers said.
"After the reshuffle, the coordination mechanism between the party and government officials will be smoother," DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh (
PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
Hsieh also stressed the importance of unity within the DPP to deal with boycotts in the legislature by the opposition parties.
"I will call Chang as frequently as I can to communicate with him [about administrative affairs]," said Wu Nai-jen (吳乃仁), the party's secretary-general, echoing remarks by Hsieh.
The appointments of Premier Chang Chung-hsiung (
However, two DPP factions -- the New Century Office (
"Some people just don't know how much they weigh," Justice Alliance Legislator Shen Fu-hsiung (
Chou Po-lun (周伯倫), a member of the New Century Office, urged Chen's administration to form a "ruling alliance" in the legislature to oppose the KMT majority there and ensure that the government's bills are passed and carried out smoothly.
The DPP legislative caucus yesterday also expressed their disagreement over Chang's appointment as the new premier, saying Chen would "control everything as the Cabinet is now headed by one of his close comrades."
The question of whether the new Cabinet will bring a fresh political vision or result in political instability remains unclear. But observers said it was clear now that the priority of Chen's administration would shift from military stability and cross-strait relations to domestic reforms.
In addition, they said, Chang's role in his new post would be that of "chief-of-the-staff to the president" (總統最高幕僚長) and "executive of policy" (決策執行者).
RETHINK? The defense ministry and Navy Command Headquarters could take over the indigenous submarine project and change its production timeline, a source said Admiral Huang Shu-kuang’s (黃曙光) resignation as head of the Indigenous Submarine Program and as a member of the National Security Council could affect the production of submarines, a source said yesterday. Huang in a statement last night said he had decided to resign due to national security concerns while expressing the hope that it would put a stop to political wrangling that only undermines the advancement of the nation’s defense capabilities. Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Vivian Huang (黃珊珊) yesterday said that the admiral, her older brother, felt it was time for him to step down and that he had completed what he
Taiwan has experienced its most significant improvement in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, data provided on Sunday by international higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) showed. Compared with last year’s edition of the rankings, which measure academic excellence and influence, Taiwanese universities made great improvements in the H Index metric, which evaluates research productivity and its impact, with a notable 30 percent increase overall, QS said. Taiwanese universities also made notable progress in the Citations per Paper metric, which measures the impact of research, achieving a 13 percent increase. Taiwanese universities gained 10 percent in Academic Reputation, but declined 18 percent
UNDER DISCUSSION: The combatant command would integrate fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups to defend waters closest to the coastline, a source said The military could establish a new combatant command as early as 2026, which would be tasked with defending Taiwan’s territorial waters 24 nautical miles (44.4km) from the nation’s coastline, a source familiar with the matter said yesterday. The new command, which would fall under the Naval Command Headquarters, would be led by a vice admiral and integrate existing fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups, along with the Naval Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance Command, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous. It could be launched by 2026, but details are being discussed and no final timetable has been announced, the source
CHINA REACTS: The patrol and reconnaissance plane ‘transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace,’ the 7th Fleet said, while Taipei said it saw nothing unusual The US 7th Fleet yesterday said that a US Navy P-8A Poseidon flew through the Taiwan Strait, a day after US and Chinese defense heads held their first talks since November 2022 in an effort to reduce regional tensions. The patrol and reconnaissance plane “transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace,” the 7th Fleet said in a news release. “By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.” In a separate statement, the Ministry of National Defense said that it monitored nearby waters and airspace as the aircraft