President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) announced yesterday that he is thinking about reshuffling the Cabinet, saying he believes that the result will improve the country's chance for reform and lay the groundwork for economic development.
Chen's remark sparked speculation that Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) could be replaced.
While meeting with US House member Robert Wexler yesterday, President Chen said that instead of feeling pleased about the DPP's gains on the Dec. 1 elections, he viewed the gains as an opportunity to learn.
The president pointed out that in the past three weeks, he has been thinking about questions regarding the nation's future and hoped that the Cabinet reshuffle after the new year would be "refreshing."
The president extended his gratitude for Wexler's long-term support for Taiwan's participation in various international organizations and also pointed out that the Dec. 1 elections were the cleanest in the nation's history, giving people confidence about the future of the country.
"Even though the DPP did quite well in the elections, I wasn't pleased. Instead, I have been humbled by the experience," Chen said.
Since the Legislative Yuan is reviewing the central government's budget for the next year, the Presidential Office has put on hold the formation of the "cross-party alliance for national stabilization."
Sources from the presidential office stressed that the president is considering issues concerning organizing a "ruling majority" in the Legislative Yuan, electing the legislative speaker, reshuffling the Cabinet and transferring high-ranking military personnel.
These proposed programs, the source said, will be taken up in January when the current legislature expires.
The main question circulating in Taipei's political circles changed from whether Wang Jing-pyng (王金平) would be re-elected as Legislative Yuan speaker to whether Premier Chang will be replaced.
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