• By Chen Yu-hsin 陳雨鑫

The Chinese-language Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times) was the first to reveal president-elect William Lai’s (賴清德) list of Cabinet nominees.

The incoming administration differs from the past two Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) terms holding executive power following transitions of power by repeating its previous designation of non-party members for Cabinet positions — the premierships of Tang Fei (唐飛) and Lin Chuan (林全) being prime examples.

This year marks a historic milestone in Taiwan’s history of democracy — it is the first time that the baton has been passed from one president to the next of the same party for three consecutive terms.

Because of this continuation, the DPP wishes to show that it is keeping to the middle of the road.

It is looking at former Cabinet secretary-general Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and former minister of culture Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) — both of whom possess a knack for working across the aisle — as premier and vice premier respectively. They are well-suited to the duties laid out before them.

With the electoral dust having settled from January’s elections, the DPP won less than a majority of seats in the legislature. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) eked out a slight majority, with a lead of two to four seats (if we include the two won by independent, KMT-friendly legislators).

Given this development, searching for a premier who could be accepted by opposition parties has been a pressing matter — it was also a pledge that Lai had made to the nation. He would use communication in place of confrontation, cooperation instead of opposition and would shift from a warring, fractious Cabinet to a harmonious one.

All of this has made for a reasonable arrangement.

Premier-designate Cho has been witness to many electoral fights, including the DPP’s 1994 Taipei City mayoral primary between former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and then-Taipei City councilor and current Representative to Japan Frank Hsieh (謝長延), as well as the general election presidential ticket between Hsieh and former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌).

Cho supported President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Lai’s 2020 primary ticket.

He was skilled at harmonizing relations and keeping contentious fights at bay, with the public good in mind.

Cho also has a long list of academic achievements, and possesses a plethora of civil service acumen and know-how, having served as the Executive Yuan secretary, the Cabinet secretary-general and DPP chairman.

With the DPP sitting with a slight minority of seats and the opposition parties holding a slim majority, Cho, who is more than capable of engaging in dialogue with the opposition, would hold firm to the implementation of the president-elect’s intent while maintaining amicability.

Cheng was designated to be vice premier, the Liberty Times article said, and has served for a long time as a legislator, as former head of the Ministry of Education’s Youth Development Administration and as a former minister of culture.

Her history of public service is just about impeccable. Last year, in the run-up to the elections, she represented Lai at the head of his campaign, showing the emphasis the president-elect placed on her. She also gave fervent support to Lin I-hsiung (林義雄) during his arduous activities when he served as DPP chairman.

With a sharp wit, warmth and zeal, Cheng is certain to put the public first and foremost as vice premier.

National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) is to serve as the Cabinet’s secretary-general.

Kung has long been a public servant and is a well-seasoned expert on the nation’s economy.

Alongside Cho and Cheng, Kung would help form a solid “iron triangle” that does not squabble or contest for power, but would instead show the DPP’s representability and professionalism, walking a middle path in governing the nation.

It is hoped that the DPP continues to receive the public’s support as it serves the nation.

There are also to be three new defense-related ministers and directors: the continued tenure of National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥), recognized for his outstanding service, National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Wellington Koo (顧立雄), who is designated to be Minister of National Defense, and outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), who is set to take over Koo’s current position.

Lai’s designations show that he intends to continue Tsai’s national defense and foreign affairs policies, holding fast to the path of democracy and freedom.

Koo previously served as the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee’s non-partisan chair and as Financial Supervisory Commission chairman.

His ability to supervise and root out corruption is evident. Koo is to handle the important tasks of raising the profile of Taiwan’s military, as well as reforming national defense organizations.

Minister of the Interior Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) is young and diligent, having learned much under the mentoring wings of former legislative speaker You Si-kun (游錫?).

Lin learned his civic governance know-how from serving as Keelung mayor for eight years. His tenure as the DPP’s interim chairman also gave him abundant administrative experience and serving as former DPP secretary certainly gave him plenty of patience and wherewithal.

Former Pingtung County commissioner Pan Men-an (潘孟安), with his deep revolutionary demeanor, long history as a legislator and being Lai’s friend on many of his campaign trails — serving as his presidential campaign manager this year — is well aware of Lai’s thoughts and intentions.

It is plausible to say that Pan is one of the people who best understands Lai. In his upcoming role as Cabinet secretary-general, Pan should be more than capable of putting Lai’s intentions into words.

The figures and positions listed in the Liberty Times’ article are just one part of the administration. There are still many stars waiting to be placed in the perfect constellation and shine.

Apart from Lin and Pan, former minister of transportation and communications Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) and Chiayi County Commissioner Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁) are all stalwart third-generation DPP figures and experts.

Passing down expertise to younger party members is a never-ending task for the DPP, forming the foundations for a prosperous Taiwan.

The roles of several veteran party members are quite flexible and there is plenty of room for them in the 2026 nine-in-one elections — hope for those who wish to return to local political pastures after serving in the central government.

The Cabinet, which has goals and the ability to carry out these objectives, is certain to pair well with a robust government and parties.

Their success is the common goal of all Taiwanese, to be passed down from generation to generation. On this path would Taiwan have a future.

Chen Yu-hsin is a former deputy chair of the National Council of Physical Fitness and Sports and a former Taichung County deputy commissioner.

Translated by Tim Smith