TAIPEI – President-elect Tsai Ing-wen is expected to confirm New Frontier Foundation (NFF) CEO and former Finance Minister Lin Chuan as her first premier next week along with members of her Cabinet according to local media on Sunday. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesman Lin Hsi-yao is likely to become vice premier.
Lin had previously downplayed himself as a candidate to head Tsai’s Cabinet. His selection, as well as other personnel choices, comes earlier than expected as the new government seeks to smooth out transition of power issues with the outgoing Ma administration. Arrangements for the transition are expected to proceed when direct channels between finalized personnel choices have been made. Tsai will convene a government and DPP-coordinating meeting Monday that is likely to reveal more members of her government.
Along with Lin’s premiership, NFF director Chiu Tai-san will likely head the Judicial Yuan. He told the CNA that he would “do his utmost should the president require it.” DPP Secretary-General Joseph Wu may become secretary-general of the National Security Council. Wu, however, may still be considered for foreign minister or chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, the agency tasked with maintaining ties with mainland China. Think tank consultant Lin Wan-i later confirmed that he will join the new government in the capacity of minister without portfolio, in which post he will likely tackle the prickly issues of pension reform and senior care.
In addition, Chang Ching-sen, executive director for Tsai’s policy research group, is also likely to be named minister without portfolio, and former Pingtung County Magistrate Tsao Chi-hung will helm the Council of Agricultural Affairs.
Sources close to the party indicate that officials in the new Tsai administration will likely be made up mainly of party think tank elites, former ministers without portfolio, industry elites, current civil servants and former county magistrates or mayors. Other potential personnel candidates include civil servants who served under former President Chen Shui-bian’s administration.
Tsai, who began consultations with political opposition leaders last week starting with People First Party Chairman James Soong, is expected next to meet with allied New Power Party figures. She is also expected to meet with the newly elected leader of the Kuomintang, which will complete chairmanship elections at the end of the month. Tsai’s meeting with outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou may take place last, before she assumes the oath of office on May 20.
