|
Taiwan premier takes control of government
2006-06-01
Taiwan's president has handed over day-to-day control of the island's government to the premier in the wake of a series of scandals, a presidential spokesman said Thursday. President Chen Shui-bian's son-in-law was arrested last week on insider trading charges after earlier allegations that Chen's wife received favors in a real estate deal. Chen, whose term ends in 2008, remains head of state and appeared to retain policy-making authority. But he pledged in a written statement Wednesday night to give authority to Premier Su Tseng-chang to control Taiwan's Cabinet, spokesman David Lee said. Chen said he would no longer intervene in the affairs of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, including its political campaigns, Lee said. Chen and his family members also promised to "conduct themselves according to the highest ethical standards and live up to the public's expectations." The leader of the opposition Nationalist Party, Ma Ying-jeou, said the move did not go far enough and Chen should resign. Chen and his family members also promised to "conduct themselves according to the highest ethical standards and live up to the public's expectations," the president's statement said. The ruling DPP and the opposition have called for the president to take responsibility for the series of scandals embroiling his family and administration. Police on May 24 arrested Chen's son-in-law Chao Chien-min on suspicion he used insider information to profit on the purchases of shares in partly state-owned property company Taiwan Development Corp. Chen's finance minister also has been questioned in the case. The opposition has charged that Chen's wife, Wu Shu-chen, received free vouchers from the management of an upscale Taipei department store, and may have played a role in its takeover by a businessman whose bid was less than that of at least one rival.
Taiwan's Chen hands over some powers amid scandal (2006-06-03)Thousands demand Taiwan president's ouster (2006-06-03)Taiwan premier takes control of government (2006-06-01)Taiwan ruling party to stage mass anti-China rally (2006-03-19)Thousands of Taiwanese hold anti-China rally (2006-03-19)
| 
