Wang suggests trading arms for CEC

Wang Jin-pyng has suggested that the DPP and TSU consider passing the arms procurement bill at the same time as the KMT-PFP plan to re-constitute the Central Election Commission, allowing the parties to nominate CEC people based on their share of the legislature (i.e., gaurentee a KMT friendly Central Election Commission).

For some time, the KMT has shown signs of interest in the arms procurement bill but seems to have been held back for fear that the PFP (which hates the arms package) would vote with the DPP on the party assets bill (which would ask for the KMT to return or compensate the government for inappropriately acquired property).

The PFP is infuriated at the suggestion and says they don't like this idea of trading bill passage.

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On my end, I'd suggest the DPP seriously consider some way to further discussion with Wang about this, but at the same time, the CEC is doing a great job already. They did a great job with redistricting. And I'm afraid a CEC constituted like this would be exactly like the NCC.

If you recall, the KMT wanted the National Communications Commission reconstituted on party lines. It's the only NCC of it's kind in the world who's members are nominated using a party ratio, which would seem to do nothing for really protecting/effectively regulating the press, and the Constitutional Court already ruled it unconstitutional. They also gave the legislature two years to pass a new law replacing it, but the KMT has no interest in such legislation and wants to ride out the two years. They seem to be trying to do the same thing with this CEC.

So while I like the idea of the legislature finally getting around to doing some horse trading, I'd much rather see the bill from the KMT side be something that wasn't a naked unconstitutional power grab.

To be fair though, the KMT understands they'll certainly win a legislative majority for at least one, probably two elections. That means regardless of what happens in the '08 Prez. election or before, they can get 4-8 years of control over what used to be Executive Yuan institutions if this sort of legislation continues to pass.

I wish there was more respect for the idea of putting up professional, independent institutions and not allowing things like a CEC to be whipped around by political winds.