"The stoppage cost state coffers more than NT$10 billion and shows that Chang lacks prudence in making public policy," PFP legislative leader Diane Lee (
In October 2000, the Cabinet slammed the brakes on the partially built project over safety concerns, but revived it 100 days later, bowing to pressure from the opposition.
"If Chang is suitable, President Chen would not have replaced him with Yu Shyi-kun in the recent Cabinet shuffle," Lee said.
Together, the KMT and the PFP hold 112 seats in the 225-member legislature. The ruling camp, consisting of the DPP and the TSU, controls 102 seats.
Wang Tuoh (
"I find the dispute over Chang's divorce nonsensical," Wang said. "But it would dim his prospects of heading the Examination Yuan were the vote to be held now."
He argued that the former premier, with distinguished administrative credentials, would make a good Examination Yuan chief.
"In any event, the president has not made his decision," Wang said. "He will help defuse resistance if he does give Chang the nomination."
Chen has asked the four parties to recommend two Examination Yuan members each.
But the opposition alliance would provide only a list of what is sees as suitable candidates without endorsing any of them.
"It will be more difficult for Chang to be confirmed than it was for the DPP to win the [legislative] vice speakership," pre-dicted Huang, the four-term KMT lawmaker.
The ruling coalition lost the vice speaker's race to the opposition on Feb.1 after two rounds of voting.
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