It's a question Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) has heard often from reporters during his three months in office: when will a coalition Cabinet be formed to end the bitter political standoff in the legislature?
The question has been raised repeatedly during both his and former Premier Tang Fei's (
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
"The formation of a coalition Cabinet is only possible when mutual trust and agreement on major policies between the ruling and opposition parties can be reached," Chang said at his 90-minute year-end press conference yesterday.
Chang added that the time was not ripe for forming a coalition Cabinet. In addition, he said, the DPP's political dilemma arising from its lack of a legislative majority might not be solved even if a coalition Cabinet led by a KMT premier was formed.
Seemingly dismayed, Chang at one stage interrupted himself by wiping away the sweat on his face with a handkerchief during the question-and-answer session at his second press conference yesterday.
Reporters, however, showed no sign of giving in. At one point one reporter asked, "When will you step down?"
"I don't care how much longer my term lasts," the premier said. "What I care about is the results of policies [formulated by the Cabinet] and my standing in history."
Chang also highlighted the importance of reconciliation yesterday and urged the legislature to "give up boycotts, ease the political standoff and demonstrate the spirit of working as allies."
Chang's remarks, however, prompted reporters to ask him to elaborate on what he meant by the "spirit of working as allies," seen by some as a possible hint that a coalition government may be in the offing.
"A coalition Cabinet is one way to demonstrate what I call the spirit of working as allies. But only the president has the right [to form one]," Chang said, adding that the Cabinet "is willing to open its door" to the opposition alliance for political negotiation.
Chang said that he and President Chen Shui-bian (
A local news organization reported yesterday that a Cabinet reshuffle was likely soon due to its poor performance on economic and financial matters.
Addressing economic concerns, Chang said that the Ministry of Finance had worked out a series of merger plans among banks to help prevent an economic crisis in Taiwan.
"The merger between Taiwan Cooperative Bank (
Chang added that the Cabinet is preparing to call a national economic development conference (全國經濟發展會議) next month to come up with measures to counter unemployment and the negative impact shorter working hours may have on industry.
Having served as a legislator for six terms, Chang was thought likely to be the most capable, among DPP officials, of coordinating with opposition parties in the legislature.
When Chang announced the Cabinet's decision to scrap the construction of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, he was branded "least welcome figure" by the legislature, which barred him from attending all legislative functions.
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