Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (
"If the verdict made by the Council [of Grand Justices 大法官會議 ] says the decision was in violation of the Constitution, then the premier should demonstrate his sense of responsibility by resigning and the Cabinet should be reshuffled," DPP lawmaker Hsu Tain-tsair (許添財) said yesterday, adding that it was time for President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) to resolve the political standoff between the executive and legislative branches.
"Under the current political circumstances, it is difficult to normalize the relationship between the executive and legislative departments as Chang has been branded persona non grata by lawmakers ? The political impasse has to be resolved to facilitate the government's operation, and I think the time has come," Hsu said.
DPP lawmaker Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄), echoed Hsu, saying it might be a chance for the government to reverse its unfavorable situation if the council rules that the decision was in violation of the Constitution.
"[If the Council rules against the Cabinet's decision], it could be deemed a favorable turn for the government ? Chen could seize the chance to display his sincerity to the KMT by reshuffling the Cabinet and paying a visit to KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) to seek his advice," said Shen.
"Though the KMT might reject Chen's goodwill, it would be a good opportunity for Chen to pave the way for a possible coalition government after the legislative election this December."
Opposition members also shared this point of view.
KMT Legislator Chen Horng-chi (
"Chen should take the chance to express his friendliness to the opposition ? and I think the gesture would show the president's resolve to end the bitter political struggle as well as to enhance the public's confidence in the government," Chen Horng-chi said.
But, when asked if it would be an occasion to form a coalition government, which would entail a selection of Cabinet members through bipartisan negotiations, very few legislators were keen on the proposal.
"I don't consider it a pragmatic initiative at present because the opposition might not want to assume part of the responsibility for the ongoing political chaos with the ruling DPP, and it is very important for the DPP to prove itself a reliable government by shouldering all responsibilities alone," said Hsu.
Sharing Hsu's opinion, Chen Horng-chi said he would not favor the suggestion especially because with the legislative elections approaching, a coalition government wouldn't be advantageous for the KMT because of the present poor performance of the Cabinet.
In related news, the Council of Grand Justices, in a bid to expedite the ruling, yesterday held a provisional meeting to forge a consensus.
But Yang Jen-shau (楊仁壽), secretary-general of the Judicial Yuan, was tight-lipped when questioned about the ruling, saying only that he hoped the public would allow the Council space to ponder the issue.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) on Wednesday said that a new chip manufacturing technology called “A16” is to enter production in the second half of 2026, setting up a showdown with longtime rival Intel over who can make the fastest chips. TSMC, the world’s biggest contract manufacturer of advanced computing chips and a key supplier to Nvidia and Apple, announced the news at a conference in Santa Clara, California, where TSMC executives said that makers of artificial intelligence (AI) chips will likely be the first adopters of the technology rather than a smartphone maker. Analysts said that the technologies announced on
NO RECIPROCITY: Taipei has called for cross-strait group travel to resume fully, but Beijing is only allowing people from its Fujian Province to travel to Matsu, the MAC said The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) yesterday criticized an announcement by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism that it would lift a travel ban to Taiwan only for residents of China’s Fujian Province, saying that the policy does not meet the principles of reciprocity and openness. Chinese Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Rao Quan (饒權) yesterday morning told a delegation of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers in a meeting in Beijing that the ministry would first allow Fujian residents to visit Lienchiang County (Matsu), adding that they would be able to travel to Taiwan proper directly once express ferry
CALL FOR DIALOGUE: The president-elect urged Beijing to engage with Taiwan’s ‘democratically elected and legitimate government’ to promote peace President-elect William Lai (賴清德) yesterday named the new heads of security and cross-strait affairs to take office after his inauguration on May 20, including National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Wellington Koo (顧立雄) to be the new defense minister and former Taichung mayor Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) as minister of foreign affairs. While Koo is to head the Ministry of National Defense and presidential aide Lin is to take over as minister of foreign affairs, Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) would be retained as the nation’s intelligence chief, continuing to serve as director-general of the National Security Bureau, Lai told a news conference in Taipei. Koo,
MANAGING DIFFERENCES: In a meeting days after the US president signed a massive foreign aid bill, Antony Blinken raised concerns with the Chinese president about Taiwan US Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday met with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and senior Chinese officials, stressing the importance of “responsibly managing” the differences between the US and China as the two sides butt heads over a number of contentious bilateral, regional and global issues, including Taiwan and the South China Sea. Talks between the two sides have increased over the past few months, even as differences have grown. Blinken said he raised concerns with Xi about Taiwan and the South China Sea, along with China’s support for Russia and its invasion of Ukraine, as well as other issues