No preference for presidential over cabinet system: Premier

Wu said both systems have their own advantages and disadvantages, and that he will respect the legislative decision.

Wu was responding to a proposal raised by ruling Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator, Huang Yi-chiao, at a luncheon party the premier attended with lawmakers from constituencies in central Taiwan.

Huang said a cabinet government system would be more suitable for Taiwan and that a constitutional amendment to achieve this end is necessary.

According to Huang, the inflated power wielded by the president under the presidential system tends to cause national uncertainty should the head of the state appear motivated to incite ethnic confrontations or negative political competition for personal gain, which he said can be seen in many other countries.

Under a cabinet system, he contended, national conflict is unlikely, as all the cabinet ministers, selected from among legislators who are all elected by voters, are subject to oversight by the public.

Many political analysts have categorized Taiwan's present government system as a “mix” between the two systems, with the premier — the head of the administration and held accountable to the legislature — being actually the president's “chief of staff.”

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email