Chen Shui-bian's
His ethnicity, profession and party membership should also pacify the inter-ethnic-group and cross-party conflicts produced by the election, as well the tensions across Taiwan Strait.
The new administration would then not have to deal with crisis both at home and overseas.
From yet another standpoint, the appointment would help complete the national security and military reforms, energize the anti-black-gold politics movement and government reform.
The new administration would be able to focus on domestic reform in a stable home environment.
If Tang's appointment becomes a reality, how will he define his position? Tang's relationship with the Chen and cabinet members will be critical to the smooth functioning of the new administration.
Lacking a broad power base and restricted by his professional background, Tang perhaps should play the role of a liason between the president and the members of the Cabinet and a coordinator between the political parties, rather than be a strong-man premier.
From the DPP's perspective, the invitation to Tang was the best choice under our unique semi-presidential
Tang's professional image and good reputation will foster the momentum for a government for the people and a joint governance by the righteous.
His KMT membership will also help create inter-party cooperation, so that the DPP will not lose command of the new administration.
Since Tang did not have long-term control over the military and lacks connections and support within the Legislative Yuan, his leadership of the cabinet should not lead to military interference in the government.
One way for us to get out of the dilemmas caused by by a DPP presidency is for the KMT to act as a united majority within the legislature.
Otherwise the KMT cannot stop Tang's appointment and lacks the bargaining chips necesary to engage in negotiations with the DPP regarding the organization of a new cabinet.
If the KMT continues to break up into factions, the DPP will certainly be in a much better position organize the new cabinet.
Another way to escape this dilemma to is reform our political system along the lines of the US' presidential system.
Even though the US does not have a premier, if it did, the post would basically be a chief of staff to the president while the president is the one who answers to the Congress. A system of checks and balances exists between the legislative and the executive branches.
Another reform option is to follow the model of Germany's cabinet system. Under this system, a vote of no confidence may be cast against the premier by the Parliament. This means that if the parliamentary majority names a premier, then the president should respect that opinion.
The president role would then be as the head of the state, rather than the head of government.
Under the French semi-presidential system the duties of both the president and the premier are specified, and that could be yet another option.
Finally, we could also amend the existing electoral system to eliminate multiple parties and a divided government.
Lin Chia-lung is an associate professor of political science at the National Chung Cheng University.
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