TAIWAN: Taiwan in political limbo after corruption scandal involving President Chen Shui-bian and his wife

Taiwan is set to enter a state of political limbo as moves are in place by the opposition to recall the president amid a corruption scandal involving him and his wife. Lawmakers introduced a bill on Tuesday (November 7) to begin the ouster of embattled Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, but odds of the motion's passage are low as the ruling party continues to back their leader. On Tuesday afternoon, a legislative committee sent parliament a bill, drafted by the opposition People First Party legislator Yang Cheng Chin-ling and backed by 60 other lawmakers, to put Chen's fate in the hands of Taiwan voters. Similar proposals in June and October, which fell short of a two-thirds majority, failed despite theatrics in parliament. Tuesday's motion follows an indictment last week of first lady Wu Shu-chen for embezzlement and receipt forgery involving T$14.8 million ($448,000). The prosecutor said Chen could be charged if he were not the president. Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers oppose the legislation, dashing chances of its getting the necessary 147 votes, a party spokesman said. The minor Taiwan Solidarity Union party said on Monday (November 6) that it also would oppose the ouster, although a day earlier it expressed support. Professor Lo Chih-cheng, chairman of the Department of Political Science at Soochow University, said Chen's refusal to step down will result in a political stalemate for the country. "Unfortunately the president, as we know, is now a lame duck president. His legitimacy has been challenged over the past few years. With the indictment, I'm afraid his legitimacy will continue to decline, and it will be very difficult for him to govern this country. So, it is very likely that the political stalemate will continue if the president decides to stay on," said Professor Lo. Premier Su Tseng-chang has said he would not resign because of the first lady's indictment, a sign of backing for the president, and a local newspaper reported that Vice President Annette Lu also stands behind Chen. However, ruling party leaders are scheduled to meet on Wednesday (November 8) to decide what to do about Chen's scandals. Lo said Chen is dragging his party down with the corruption scandal. Chen's spokesman said the president "respects" whatever legislators decide to do with the bill, as part of Taiwan's democratic process. But he would not say whether Chen supports a referendum on the president stepping down from office. Chen, known for his hard line on relations with China and his support among working-class people from southern parts of the island, was elected in 2000 and 2004. His term ends in May 2008. Lo said cross-straits ties with China will not improve even if Chen steps down now and vice president Annette Lu takes over from him. "If the president steps down, then apparently the vice president, Annette Lu, will assume the presidency, and as we know that there are many uncertainties regarding her views about cross-strait policies. If that happens, then there would be a period of uncertainties, and probably instabilities as well. So there would create all kinds of possibilities if the president steps down. But if the president continues to stays in power, then the current political deadlock will continue in Taiwan, so I don't except to see any break through on the cross-strait front," said Professor Lo. Initial discussion of the ouster bill is expected on Friday (November 10), with a final vote on Nov. 24. If the ouster bill is not passed, opposition lawmakers could try for a vote of no confidence in the cabinet, which would force the premier's removal or disband the whole legislature.

ITN Source | November 7, 2006

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