Chen yields power amid scandal (Agencies) Updated: 2006-06-01 14:22
Chao
Chien-ming, a doctor married to Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian's
daughter, is escorted by Bureau of Investigation agents in Taipei May 24,
2006. Chao and four members of Chen's family were questioned for an
insider trading scandal. [Reuters]
Chen's
wife, Wu Shu-chen is involved in another scandal, accused
of receiving free vouchers from the management of an upscale Taipei
department store.
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Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian has handed over the day-to-day control of
the island's government to the "premier" Su Tseng-chang amid a swirl of
corruption scandals embroiling his family.
Chen, whose approval rating
has sunk to new lows after an insider trading scandal implicated his son-in-law,
said late on Wednesday that Su Tseng-chang would be wholly responsible for
appointing "cabinet ministers" and setting government policy.
The move late Wednesday came as opposition leaders pressed forward with
efforts to recall Chen - a procedure that requires a two-thirds
legislative majority and the support of at least half of Taiwan's eligible
voters.
On Thursday Nationalist Party head Ma Ying-jeou - the
front-runner in the island's 2008 elections - said Chen's move did not
go far enough and that he should resign from office.
Chen, whose term
ends in 2008, appears to have given up many of his powers, including the ability
to set policy outlines and carry them out.
Political scientist Emile
Sheng of Taipei's Soochow University said that Chen's move signaled the
effective end of his authority.
"Chen Shui-bian is definitely a
lame duck," he said. "He can no longer enact any substantive policy in the next
two years."
In a written statement Wednesday night Chen pledged to give
full power to Su Tseng-chang to control the so-called "Taiwan Cabinet",
spokesman David Lee said.
Chen also 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 further promised to "conduct
themselves according to the highest ethical standards and live up to the
public's expectations," the statement said.
The statement was issued
amid rising calls in both the DPP and the opposition for him to take
responsibility for a 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 property company Taiwan Development Corp.
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