Chen Again
Chen Shui Bian has survived what looks like a vote of no confidence, but emerges considerably weakened.
This is probably good news for maintaining the staus quo across the Taiwan Straits. A so-called president with a firm mandate would stand a far greater chance of pulling off a move towards so-called 'independence' (Xinhua editors, I'm still available) than a leader on the back foot.
Then again, Chen might need something big and bold to revive his fortunes in his last months in office. It may even cause the KMT to lose face after their unsuccessful gambit. After all, the vote wasn't really about Chen himself but about his nephew: it all seems to be about little more than political skulduggery.
Still, safe to say that an election during the 2008 Olympics isn't going to rattle any cages hard enough.
Taiwan's Chen survives key vote
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has survived a parliamentary attempt to oust him from office over scandals besetting his family and advisers.
More than half Taiwan's legislators backed a motion to recall Mr Chen, but it fell short of the two-thirds majority required to pass.
Thousands of Mr Chen's opponents and supporters gathered outside parliament as the vote took place.
Afterwards, Mr Chen urged his critics to end the political confrontation.
The crisis began last month when Mr Chen's son-in-law, Chao Chien-min, was detained on suspicion of insider trading.
Mr Chen's wife has also been accused of questionable dealings.
Earlier this month, in the wake of these allegations, Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang party launched a motion to oust President Chen - the first time this has ever been attempted in Taiwanese history.
The opposition hoped some members of Mr Chen's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) would back their plans so it could achieve the 148 votes needed to pass the motion to hold a public referendum to recall the president.
But most ruling party legislators stuck with Mr Chen and boycotted Tuesday's vote, and there were only 119 votes in favour of the motion.
Even though this vote has failed, opposition parties are likely to continue their fight and push for a vote of no confidence in the Cabinet.
After Tuesday's session, opposition leader James Soong told the protesters: "Over half of the legislators voted to recall Mr Chen, so he should quickly tender his resignation".
Comments
Chen Shui Bian has survived what looks like a vote of no confidence, but emerges considerably weakened.
If there is one thing foreign news services don't understand, it's Taiwan. The ROC Presidency is weak and Chen can only function with the support of the legislature, which he does not have. Chen has already been weakened by several years of the pro-China parties slowly destroying the government one branch at a time.
This is probably good news for maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Straits.
No, as Chen was never going to call for independence. The public wouldn't support it. Also, there is no status quo, given the Chinese military buildup.
A so-called president with a firm mandate would stand a far greater chance of pulling off a move towards so-called 'independence' (Xinhua editors, I'm still available) than a leader on the back foot.
No president, no matter how strong, could pull that off. The pro-China parties control the legislature, and the Constitutional changes necessary require public approval by referendum.
Then again, Chen might need something big and bold to revive his fortunes in his last months in office.
The "Chen the Madman who would do anything" is strictly a bit of pro-China propaganda. Chen is a pragmatic and intelligent politician.
It may even cause the KMT to lose face after their unsuccessful gambit.
Nonsense, as the KMT never expected to win. There was no way they could.
After all, the vote wasn't really about Chen himself but about his nephew: it all seems to be about little more than political skulduggery.
Yup. The vote wasn't about his nephew either. It was all about Chen, whom the Blues hate because he has beaten them twice.
Still, safe to say that an election during the 2008 Olympics isn't going to rattle any cages hard enough.
The 2008 election takes place well before the Olympics begin in the summer.
Michael
Posted by: Michael Turton | June 29, 2006 12:31 AM