While some have attributed the results of the National Assembly elections as a manifestation of the public's dislike for the recent "China fever" sparked by the visits of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (
Exhausted by partisan disputes and political wrestling in the legislative branch and nearly a decade of ineffective government, the public's high expectations, together with a push by some social groups, forced most political parties to endorse resolutions on constitutional changes last August. President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) administration played a key role in terms of shouldering domestic pressure to forge the constitutional re-engineering project.
Chen and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government have also made an effort to clarify misperceptions internationally that the constitutional reforms would have any bearing on legitimizing Taiwan's de jure independence.
After an explanation of the high threshold needed for changes to be approved as well as the difficulty of pursuing legal independence given Taiwan's divided political forces, the international community should be convinced that constitutional reform will not touch upon "enacting a new Taiwan constitution," and therefore will not change the cross-striat status quo.
It has taken a tremendous effort to conquer both domestic and external constraints to pave the way for the constitutional re-engineering project. Hence, the results of the election have achieved what Chen has called "the first-stage constitutional reform" and an opening of "the second-stage constitutional re-engineering project."
It has historical implications for the deepening and consolidation of Taiwan's democratic institutions, and entails a strong and democratic move toward forging good governance, government efficiency and international competitiveness.
While debates over the constitutional changes were full of political finger pointing, partisan calculation and regional influences, a sound and sustainable constitutional framework can be created through rational debate and engendered by civic consciousness. This is how Taiwan's democratic society has worked hard over the past two decades, when it comes to the reinforcement of its political institutions and democratic mechanisms.
Several hurdles remain, including the passage of the statute governing the National Assembly's exercise of power (國大職權行使法) and the forthcoming readjustment of electoral constituencies. The DPP must seize the opportunity to meet continued challenges from inside and out.
Since the reform of the current electoral system perceivably favors a stable two-party system, both the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) and the PFP have opposed it. It is therefore necessary for the DPP government to build on public support for continued constitutional reform.
Although the pro-reform camp, led by the DPP and the KMT, acquired over 80 percent of the popular vote, the TSU and PFP should not boycott constitutional reform simply for the sake of their partisan interests.
A partisan agreement on the constitutional amendment of electoral rules should be treated as a great leap forward for the nation's democracy, rather than just a political contingency for partisan interests. Those political leaders with the vision and reform-mindedness necessary for Taiwan's political development should take the lead, regardless of whether the reforms may harm them, or the party they are affiliated with.
Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) has its chairperson election tomorrow. Although the party has long positioned itself as “China friendly,” the election is overshadowed by “an overwhelming wave of Chinese intervention.” The six candidates vying for the chair are former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), former lawmaker Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文), Legislator Luo Chih-chiang (羅智強), Sun Yat-sen School president Chang Ya-chung (張亞中), former National Assembly representative Tsai Chih-hong (蔡志弘) and former Changhua County comissioner Zhuo Bo-yuan (卓伯源). While Cheng and Hau are front-runners in different surveys, Hau has complained of an online defamation campaign against him coming from accounts with foreign IP addresses,
Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmaker Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) on Saturday won the party’s chairperson election with 65,122 votes, or 50.15 percent of the votes, becoming the second woman in the seat and the first to have switched allegiance from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to the KMT. Cheng, running for the top KMT position for the first time, had been termed a “dark horse,” while the biggest contender was former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌), considered by many to represent the party’s establishment elite. Hau also has substantial experience in government and in the KMT. Cheng joined the Wild Lily Student
When Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp (THSRC) announced the implementation of a new “quiet carriage” policy across all train cars on Sept. 22, I — a classroom teacher who frequently takes the high-speed rail — was filled with anticipation. The days of passengers videoconferencing as if there were no one else on the train, playing videos at full volume or speaking loudly without regard for others finally seemed numbered. However, this battle for silence was lost after less than one month. Faced with emotional guilt from infants and anxious parents, THSRC caved and retreated. However, official high-speed rail data have long
Starting next year, drivers older than 70 may be entitled to a monthly NT$1,500 public transportation and taxi subsidy if they relinquish their driver’s license, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced on Tuesday. The measure is part of a broader effort to improve road safety, with eligible participants receiving the subsidy for two years. The announcement comes amid mounting concern over traffic safety in Taiwan. A 2022 article by CNN quoted the name of a Facebook group devoted to the traffic situation called “Taiwan is a living hell for pedestrians,” while Berlin-based bne IntelliNews last month called it a “deadly