[War] Republic of China: "Rise to Power"

[Alan Tang]

"Politics, as a practice, whatever its professions, has always been the systematic organization of hatreds"

-Henry Brooks Adams



"Rise to Power"

Premier Tang Wai Kiat
Republic of China
September 19, 2006



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Tang-Wai Kiat, Premier of the Republic of China and Chief Executive of the Legislative Yuan was surrounded by several prominent members of the cabinet as well as a group of high ranking officials from the Democratic Progressive Party. The last few weeks had been difficult and high embarrassing for the party, with President Chen Shui-Bian caught up in some very nasty corruption scandals. Tang dropped his glasses and rubbed his eyes in disbelief after tracking the approval numbers for Shui-Bian. Numbers depending on the source varied from 5.8% to 20%. For everyone in the room, it was obvious that if his presidency continued while carrying the DPP banner, they would surely suffer greatly in the polls. 

Yu-Fang Hu, Chairman of the DPP circled around the group at a frantic pace. His face swelled and sweated as well as dark bags grew under his eyes. It was obvious that he had been deprived of any little sleep available over this crisis. He knew that if party fortunes evaporated on E-Day he would be out of a job and be led out as a scapegoat. This meeting was called by him to lobby what everyone in that room had on the back of the minds. "Premier, the protests are growing, our party numbers are beginning to get dragged down by Chen. If we keep going down this track we'll be looking at losing most of our seats in the Yuan. He must be resign.We want you to take up the next line in succession and in the Presidency" 

Tang Wai Kiat was a wise and respected figure within party, his voice held weight. If he agreed, most of the rank and file would follow. He no longer had to worry about any backlash against Chen's supporters or the party. It was also no secret that over the last few years there had been several incidents of infighting within the DPP, Tang himself disagreed and protested the direction Chen was taking Taiwan. For one, Chen and Tang heavily disagreed over the timeline towards making Taiwan a realized sovereign state. Chen worked at a very leisurely pace, Tang wanted to move quicker with a referendum, as well as shore up and cement support with the US, and Japan. Tang was what many saw as a strong Taiwanese nationalist, willing to risk political conflict in the name of recognition. For him independence was a point of national pride and destiny.

 

"I'm honored Mr. Chairman.but what of the matter of Vice President Lu, legally speaking she would be the one next in line after Chen resigns" replied Tang

 

Hu continued circling the group, albeit in a somewhat relaxed manner his head nodded as he scrounged up a scenario that would take Lu out of the equation. "Her numbers are slipping along with Chen, their on the same ticket as long as the people are concerned. She won't be in a position to take the party's endorsement and expect to win on her own ticket. She'll weigh out and wait for a better opportunity."

"And what of me? You're asking me to take up a lame duck session? Step aside after the next poll?"

"No Mr. Premier, you carry weight and experience, and as far as the party and the people are concerned you have no connections to this scandal.clean slate, for you and the party."

Tang sat back in his chair, and rubbed his eyes again, his elbows resting on his fine red oak table. He sat there silent for several moments, aware that the cabinet and party officials were only a breath away, awaiting an answer. He knew that one day and opportunity would present itself, that one day he would get his shot at the presidency, if there was one make or break moment this was it. 



~Break him! Take the Office, lead the country!~

 

Tang agreed with his inner voice and looked back up. He rose from his chair and stared Chairman Hu dead right in his eye. "Do it, keep it away from the public spectrum, we want to make him realize that he's leading the party to doom and that he must resign. If he resists, we add pressure until we break him. "



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Two Days Later.



Tang Wai Kiat, his cabinet and several other supporters from the Party Executive stood in front of Chen Shui-Bian, President of the Republic of China. Though he had been to the presidential residence many times, never before had he felt so much taller than the man sitting before him. It had been a brutal campaign of political pressure as the party sent its representatives day and night to the residence to lobby and continue to highlight the fact that he was effectively a lame duck president. Today was the day that they would make their final push.

 

"Mr. President, the results of the leadership review from the caucus have arrived. You will find that you had next to no support within the party and within the Yuan. You're done." Tang said in a rather harsh and rude tone, he wasn't interested in beating around the bush anymore, Chen's time in office was over and for the sake of the party there was an obvious need for change before the next poll.

It wasn't long before their 'discussion' descended to a shouting match. However after much sweat, near tears and sore throats, it became clear that Chen wouldn't be able to continue on without the party's support. Given his unpopularity he wouldn't be able to pass any legislation through the Yuan with the DPP Coalition's majority. Chairman Hu even went as far as to threaten to declare Chen no longer a DPP member. With that descending over his head, there was only one available avenue to walk, while leaving his dignity and self respect somewhat intact... President Chen Shui-Bian would address the nation and announce the resignation of himself and his Vice President Annette Lu
with Tang Wai Kiat taking on the office of the President.

 

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen_Shui-bian

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5329816.stm

OFF:

Actions:
-Legislative Yuan Caucus of the DPP conducts a secret vote showing non confidence in Chen Shui-Bian's leadership and demand that he either resign or be kicked out of the Democratic Progressive Party
-Party officials along with the support of Premier Tang Wai Kiat in secret run a political coup of President Chen Shui-Bian citing dismal polling numbers and growing protests from the people 

-President Chen Shui-Bian and Vice President Annette Lu address the nation and announce the resignation of their administration.

-Tang Wai Kiat, a strong public supporter of separation from the People's Republic of China becomes President of the Republic of China and is immediately sworn into office
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