Legislative bid to recall Chen ends in failure

        A motion launched by the nation's opposition parties to recall President Chen Shui-bian failed to gain the required support of two-thirds of legislators in an unprecedented vote in the Legislative Yuan June 27. Only 119 legislators cast their ballots in favor of the recall, far fewer than the 148 required in the 221-seat legislature to pass the motion. As a result, the issue will not be put to a referendum. After the vote, Chen made a statement apologizing for the scandals surrounding his family and offered his opinion on the outcome of the recall motion.

        Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng announced that 133 lawmakers were present for the vote, with 119 casting ballots in support of the motion and zero against. Wang also cast a vote in favor of Chen's ouster. Twelve lawmakers with the Taiwan Solidarity Union and two independent legislators invalidated their ballots. Eighty-six legislators from the Democratic Progressive Party boycotted the vote, walking out of the Legislative Yuan to join a rally going on outside the building in support of the embattled president.

        The president issued a statement in which he expressed his view that his political career is not at issue; but respecting the Constitution is the highest priority. He apologized for the scandals surrounding his family members, who have been the target of accusations of corruption in recent weeks by members of the opposition parties. Chen also enumerated the following four points.

        First, as long as the recall motion initiated by the opposition party accords with the Constitution, he will respect both the process and the result of the motion.

        Second, the president reiterated his faith in the judicial system, which he vowed to respect. He said society must keep its faith in the system as well, and that no interference should be made to the investigation of the corruption allegations and adequate room should be given to the justice department, so that justice will be served.

        Third, now that the recall motion is over, the legislature should show the same zeal in addressing the many important pieces of legislation currently stalled on the legislative floor that would benefit the lives and well-being of the people of Taiwan. He urged all political parties to think rationally and pass these important bills as soon as possible.

        Fourth, in the last few months, political infighting has resulted in social instability and severely influenced national unity. He said he personally is willing to accept criticism, and will re-examine himself more intensely, but he is also looking forward to advancing political negotiations, promoting cross-strait peace talks and doing his best to unite the country.

        "Today is a day of glory. The history of the future shall be written with this: on June 27, 2006, the people of Taiwan exercised their right of recalling the president to step down, regardless of its result," according to pundit Long Ying-tai. "No one in the world can deny that Taiwan has a group of citizens who are the most politically sensitive, mature and self-determined in the Chinese world."