Observers see turning point with Tang gone

Former premier Tang Fei's (唐飛) resignation may represent, as major opposition parties say, the collapse of President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) government for all the people (全民政府).

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 (謝長廷) said yesterday after the weekly "Forum for Party and Political Negotiation" (黨政協商會報).

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 (張俊雄), a member of the party's Welfare State faction (福利國系), and incoming Cabinet Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (邱義仁), a member of the New Tide faction (新潮流), would help expand the DPP's participation in the new government and helped Chen alleviate the power struggle within the party, observers said.

However, two DPP factions -- the New Century Office (新世紀辦公室) and the Justice Alliance (正義連線) -- yesterday complained that they were not respected and consulted, provoking another round of party infighting.

"Some people just don't know how much they weigh," Justice Alliance Legislator Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄) said, referring to the party elite's decision to form a minority government which, in his view, might worsen the stand-off between the executive and legislative branches.

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).