The future is bright for the new premier if he can manage the relationship with the president and ease tensions with opposition parties, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
"Su Tseng-chang (
Wang said that he hopes to see the new premier have the full authorization of the president to set government agenda.
PHOTO: JEROME FAVRE,AP
Regarding interaction with the opposition parties, Wang said that Su might want to ponder whether to replace the strategy of confrontation with one of cooperation.
Su might also face legislators' questioning in the future because he had said that he would quit politics after stepping down as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Wang said that if Su can keep the political situation from deteriorating and effectively handle cross-strait issues, the country is bound to benefit and the people will have more faith in the government.
Wang urged Su to be more diligent, sincere and well-grounded when dealing with opposition parties, as well as being more tolerant of and flexible about their opinions.
In addition to hoping that Su will keep his new job for a while, Wang said DPP Legislator Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), the former Mainland Affairs Council chairwoman, would be a good candidate for vice premier.
DPP caucus whip Chen Chin-jun (陳景峻) said that his caucus hopes to see Su lead the new Cabinet to a striking performance over the next two years, as well as more debates and communication about government policies inside the party.
"Before a government policy is formed, we hope to see the Executive Yuan, the Presidential Office and legislative caucus closely communicate with each other and then reach a consensus," Chen said.
"We would really hate to see party members and government officials sing different tunes," he said.
A government policy is bound to stand a better chance of winning the support of the legislature if it is backed by the entire party and administration, Chen said.
DPP Legislator Hong Chi-chang (
"In order to get more government policies passed ... I'm afraid we have to respect the opinions of opposition parties and adopt a more modest attitude when negotiating with them," Hong said.
Four preimers in five years
1. Tang Fei (唐飛)
Affiliation: Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)
Tenure: May 20, 2000 to Oct. 6, 2000
Reason for departure: Controversy over Fourth Nuclear Power Plant
2. Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄)
Affiliation: Democratic Progressive Party
Tenure: Oct. 6, 2000 to Feb. 1, 2002
Reason for departure: Cabinet reshuffle
3. Yu Shyi-kun (游錫方方土)
Affiliation: Democratic Progressive Party
Tenure: Feb. 1, 2002 to Feb. 1, 2005
Reason for departure: Cabinet reshuffle
4. Frank Hsieh (謝長廷)
Affiliation: Democratic Progressive Party
Tenure: Feb. 1, 2005 to Jan. 23, 2006
Reason for departure: Reconsideration of the government budget plan
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