Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Secretary-General Lin Feng-cheng (
"Though Chen is empowered by the Constitution to nominate the premier, Chen would have to bear accusations of destabilizing society should he ignore the public's opinion, as shown by the [Saturday's] election," Lin said.
Lien told the party's supporters during the election campaign that the KMT would form the Cabinet, led by KMT Vice Chairman and Vice Legislative Speaker Chiang Ping-kun (
The pan-blue camp has retained a majority of at least 114 seats in the 225-seat legislature.
According to Lin, the ruling authorities should respect the trend shown by public opinion and the new legislature, based on the principle of a five-branch government.
"After all, Chen has the final say on the new nominee for premier, though the pan-blues will recommend our own candidate. We hope Chen will not make the decision alone or engage in mudslinging," Lin said.
Lin did not name a specific candidate.
Tseng Yung-chuan (
"Though the president enjoys the power to nominate the premier, Chen should take Chiang into account [for the position] for the sake of the nation's financial, economic and political stability."
Tseng further said that the KMT is willing to lend talent to the new governing team.
Based on the five-branch system stipulated by the Constitution, bills regarding government's budget and policies need the support of the pan-blue controlled legislature, Tseng said.
"Only if the Cabinet is formed by the legislative majority can related policies be pushed forward successfully," Tseng said.
Meanwhile, Yao Chiang-lin (
Yao said that if the pan-blues' appeal falls on deaf ears, the KMT will not exclude the possibility of promoting a motion of no-confidence in the premier at the Legislative Yuan or exerting pressure to achieve that goal.
Typhoon Usagi yesterday had weakened into a tropical storm, but a land warning issued by the Central Weather Administration (CWA) was still in effect in four areas in southern Taiwan. As of 5pm yesterday, Tropical Storm Usagi was over waters 120km south-southwest of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), the southernmost tip of Taiwan proper, and was moving north at 9kph, CWA data showed. The storm was expected to veer northeast later yesterday. It had maximum sustained winds of 101kph, with gusts of up to 126kph, the data showed. The CWA urged residents of Kaohsiung, Pingtung County, Taitung County and the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春) to remain alert to
ONE LAST TALK: While Xi said that Taiwan was a ‘red line,’ Biden, in what is likely his last meeting with Xi as president, called for an end to China’s military activity around Taiwan China’s military intimidation and economic coercion against Taiwan are the main causes of tensions that are destabilizing peace in the Taiwan Strait, Taipei said yesterday while thanking US President Joe Biden for expressing Washington’s firm stance of maintaining peace and stability in the region. Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) met on Saturday for their third meeting and their first talks in seven months on the sidelines of the APEC forum in Lima, Peru. It was likely Biden’s last meeting as president with Xi. During their conversation, Biden reiterated the US’ opposition to any unilateral change to the “status quo” from either
Taiwan would participate in the 2026 APEC summit to be hosted by China after Beijing promised it would ensure the personal safety of attendees, Taiwanese national security sources said yesterday. The APEC Leaders’ Machu Picchu Declaration announced yesterday said that China would host the APEC summit in 2026. Beijing proposed hosting the summit shortly before this year’s gathering began on Friday, a national security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Many APEC members expressed concerns about China hosting the event and said that prior communication over the decision was insufficient, the official said. Taiwan brought up concerns about legal “guidelines” China announced in
MEET AND GREET: The White House, which called the interaction ‘just a handshake,’ did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Biden planned to visit Taiwan’s envoy to the APEC summit, Lin Hsin-i (林信義), on Friday invited US President Joe Biden to visit Taiwan. During the APEC Leaders’ Informal Dialogue, Lin, who represented President William Lai (賴清德) at the summit, spoke with Biden and expressed gratitude to the outgoing US president for his contribution to improving bilateral ties between Taipei and Washington over the past four years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Lin and Biden exchanged views during the conversation, with Lin extending an invitation to Biden to visit Taiwan, it said. Biden is to step down in January next year, when US president-elect Donald Trump is