Secretary-General to the President Yu Shyi-kun is likely to replace Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) as premier tomorrow, sources at the Presidential Office told the Taipei Times yesterday.
The Cabinet is expected to resign en masse tomorrow, clearing the way for President Chen Shui-bian (
The position of vice premier might go to a non-DPP member with a strong and extensive financial background.
The Cabinet reshuffle, the first after the transfer of power nearly two years ago, is considered an important one because it not only will influence Taiwan's overall development but also is key to Chen's re-election bid in the 2004 election.
Following the DPP's victory in the legislative polls last month, it seemed likely that incumbent Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (
Although Chen was expected to make the announcement tomorrow at noon, Chang had not been notified of Chen's decision as of yesterday.
Observers say that even though Chang's loyalty to Chen is not in doubt, nor is his determination to carry out Chen's policies, Chang had disagreed with Chen and was less astute in terms of guessing Chen's mind than Yu.
Chang's possible departure became clear at the Cabinet's year-end press conference on Friday. While recounting nine achievements made over the past 470 days since he took office, Chang failed to mention anything about the future.
If he does step down, Chang might be appointed a senior adviser to the president and then take up the post of the president of the Examination Yuan in August, sources said.
Another possibility is that he might run in the election for chairmanship of the DPP, slated for May 26, in a bid to help Chen in his re-election bid in 2004.
Yu, who has been known for his low profile, has been busy visiting and receiving important figures recently, including meeting new Cabinet members yesterday afternoon, sources said.
Yu was notified by Chen on Friday that he will take up the position of premier, the Presidential Office source said.
Chen appears to have been impressed with Yu's performance over the past 17 months, particularly over the Economic Development Advisory Conference and the formation of the Government Reform Committee, a consultative body to the president.
Except for the ministers of defense, foreign affairs and cross-strait affairs, whom Chen has already picked, sources said that the president will "let the new premier take care of" the other members of the new "combative Cabinet."
Cabinet Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (邱義仁) is expected to become a minister without portfolio should he step down from his post.
Other Cabinet officials who might step down include Vice Premier Lai In-jaw (
Minister of Economic Affairs Lin Hsin-yi (林信義) and Lin Chuan (林全), head of the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, might retain their posts.
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