Taiwan Legislative Yuan Confirms New Examination Yuan Head and Appoints New Members
On Tuesday, the Legislative Yuan confirmed the appointment of Chou Hung-hsien (周弘憲) as the new president of the Examination Yuan and Hsu Shu-hsiang (許舒翔) as vice president, following a series of votes. The confirmation solidified their positions and also saw the approval of six additional members to the body responsible for overseeing national civil service exams, training, and protecting the rights of civil servants in Taiwan.
The Appointment of Chou Hung-hsien
Chou, 71, was confirmed by a vote of 59-53 in the 113-seat Legislative Yuan. Having served as the vice president of the Examination Yuan and held various roles in Taiwan’s public administration for the past 16 years, Chou brings a wealth of experience to his new position. Chou is also a qualified lawyer and has played an integral role in the Examination Yuan and Executive Yuan throughout his career.
In his confirmation speech, Chou expressed his commitment to maintaining the integrity of the civil service system, strengthening transparency, and ensuring fair recruitment processes for civil servants across Taiwan.
Hsu Shu-hsiang’s Confirmation as Vice President
Hsu Shu-hsiang, 63, was confirmed as the vice president of the Examination Yuan with a resounding 112 votes in favor. Hsu, with years of public service experience, is expected to work alongside Chou to further reform Taiwan’s civil service policies and improve efficiency within the Examination Yuan.
New Members Approved by the Legislature
Along with Chou and Hsu, the Legislative Yuan approved six other nominees for positions within the Examination Yuan. These members include a diverse group of professionals from various sectors of public service and academia.
The following individuals were confirmed as new members:
| Name | Position | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Teng Chia-Chi (鄧家基) | Former Deputy Mayor of Taipei | Public service leader, former deputy mayor of Taipei |
| Huang Tong-yi (黃東益) | Professor, National Chengchi University | Expert in public administration |
| Chiau Wen-yan (邱文彥) | Emeritus Professor, National Taiwan Ocean University | Academic authority in public administration |
| Lu Chiu-hui (呂秋慧) | Former Deputy Minister of Civil Service | Expertise in civil service management |
| Wang Hsiu-hung (王秀紅) | Former Examination Yuan member | Experienced civil servant administrator |
| Iwan Nawi | President, Academy for the Judiciary | Judicial reform advocate |
Legislative Voting Dynamics
The approval of these nominees was subject to a vote by the Legislative Yuan, where a simple majority is required for confirmation. Despite the current political climate, where no single party commands a majority, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and other supporting factions managed to secure the necessary votes for most of the appointments.
However, one nominee, Ker Li-ling (柯麗鈴), a prosecutor at the Supreme Prosecutors Office, was not confirmed. Ker was the only one of President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) seven Examination Yuan nominees to face rejection by the legislature. Her confirmation was voted down by opposition parties, including the Kuomintang (KMT) and KMT-aligned independents.
The Role of the Examination Yuan
The Examination Yuan plays a critical role in Taiwan’s civil service system. It oversees the administration of national civil servant exams, the appointment of civil servants, and the protection of their rights. It ensures the integrity and professionalism of Taiwan’s public service personnel and enforces standards for civil servant recruitment and training.
The President and Vice President, along with other members, are appointed by the President of Taiwan, with the consent of the Legislative Yuan, for a term of four years.
FAQs on the Examination Yuan Appointment Process
Q1: What is the Examination Yuan?
A1: The Examination Yuan is a government institution responsible for managing civil service exams, appointing and training civil servants, and protecting their rights.
Q2: Who can be appointed to the Examination Yuan?
A2: The president, vice president, and members of the Examination Yuan are appointed by the President of Taiwan, subject to confirmation by the Legislative Yuan.
Q3: How are nominees confirmed by the Legislative Yuan?
A3: Nominees for the Examination Yuan are subject to a vote in the Legislative Yuan, requiring a simple majority for confirmation.
Q4: What is the term length for members of the Examination Yuan?
A4: Members of the Examination Yuan, including the president and vice president, serve a term of four years.
Q5: Why was Ker Li-ling’s appointment rejected?
A5: Ker Li-ling’s appointment was rejected by the Legislative Yuan, largely due to opposition from the Kuomintang and its allies.
