Lee supports semi-presidential system

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) is stepping up pressure on President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to try to avert the opposition's bid to recall him, a KMT lawmaker said yesterday.

Lin Pin-kuan (林炳坤), secretary-general of the Generation-E Alliance (E-世代聯盟), a faction within the KMT's legislative caucus, said yesterday that Lee had clearly expressed his support for a semi-presidential system and hoped Chen would abide by it. Lin also echoed recent media reports that Chen had rejected a suggestion from Lee last week that he build a coalition government. "I have heard about this," Lin said.

Lee had asked Legislative Yuan speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) to convey his suggestion to Chen, but Chen had rejected it on the grounds that the recall bid was doomed to fail, Lin said.

Lee's attitude is seen as a key factor that will sway the development of the recall drive in the days to come.

Though a former KMT chairman, Lee is seen as an influential figure both in the DPP and among some elements within the KMT.

The Generation-E Alliance is seen as a pro-Lee faction within the KMT.

Lin also said his alliance was trying to arrange a meeting with Lee to ask for his opinions on the ROC Constitution and the political chaos facing the country.

The alliance also met with PFP Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) on Tuesday.