Widely speculated as the possible next premier, former minister of finance Lin Chuan (林全) yesterday said that president-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) should find someone better.
“Whether or not to accept [the appointment] is not an issue, because there has been no such offer, [Tsai] has not yet made a decision,” Lin said in response to reporters’ questions on the sidelines of a conference for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers in Taipei before the new legislative session starts today.
“As far as my personal opinion is concerned, I would prefer that she asks someone else,” Lin said.
Photo: CNA
Asked if he would accept the appointment if Tsai asked him, Lin said Tsai has made it very clear that she would only think about it in April.
“So let’s not ask hypothetical questions before April, but if you must ask the question, I would say that there are a lot of people who are more capable than me for the position and I believe that Tsai will find the most ideal candidate,” Lin said.
“I never think that I am the ideal candidate,” he said.
Asked if his earlier remark that he would not take a Cabinet position still holds true, Lin said: “Of course, it is good not to take a Cabinet position.”
He said there are many choices in life and becoming the premier was not part of his life plan.
However, DPP lawmakers who took part in the conference said they believed that it would be a positive move if Lin became premier.
“It is a good thing because he has very clear understanding of many policies,” DPP caucus secretary-general Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃) said.
“Whether he serves as the premier or vice premier, he would play a very useful role pushing through Tsai’s policies,” Chen said.
There has also been speculation that Tsai has asked central bank Governor Perng Fai-nan (彭淮南) if he would be willing to serve as premier, with Lin serving as vice premier.
DPP Legislator Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said that Lin is a good candidate for premier, but that the president-elect should spend more time thinking about the issue, urging the media to wait until April.
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