Taiwan's legislature votes to hold hearings on recall of the president

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwanese lawmakers agreed Tuesday to hold hearings on a possible recall of President Chen Shui-bian, whose family members have been plagued by corruption allegations that have sparked calls for him to resign.

The legislature's move further deepened the political crisis for the leader of one of Asia's youngest democracies. It marked the first time the Taiwanese have tried to formally recall their leader.

Legislators voted 113-96 to have a screening committee -- including opposition and ruling party members -- begin hearings on whether Chen should be recalled. The president, who has not been directly linked to corruption, now has one week to issue a statement defending his decision to stay in power.

The screening committee will begin holding debates June 21 in the legislature to discuss Chen's future. Lawmakers will vote June 27 on whether to hold a public referendum about the recall.

Before Tuesday's vote, opposition lawmakers stretched a massive white banner across the legislature's floor, saying "Abian supports embezzlers," referring to the president by his nickname.

In response, ruling party lawmakers unfurled their own banner: "Oppose Power Struggle, Oppose Meaningless Squabbling."

"We will take up any challenges from the opposition," said Chen Ching-chun, a ruling party lawmaker.

Dressed in matching black and red vests, opposition lawmakers celebrated winning Tuesday's vote by chanting, "Down with Abian."

Rallying enough support for the referendum will likely be difficult because the opposition has only a slim majority in the 225-seat legislature. It would need the support of 25 ruling party members and 10 independent legislators to achieve the two-thirds majority required to send the recall issue to voters.

Although Chen hasn't been implicated in the allegations, his relatives and former aides are accused of using his influence for financial gain.

Chen's son-in-law, Dr. Chao Chien-min, was arrested May 24 on suspicion of insider trading.

The opposition has accused first lady Wu Shu-chen of involvement in illicit business deals and accepting favors from businesses.

The Presidential Office has repeatedly denied the charges.

Ma Ying-jeou, the leader of the biggest opposition party, the Nationalists, said the party's campaign was not meant to interfere with the investigation of Chen's family.

"Of course, we know that the recall case is extremely difficult," he said. "After we raise the issue, we will allow the agencies investigating the corruption cases to go about their work. They should not hesitate because of political pressure."

Chen made history in 2000 by defeating the Nationalist Party, which ruled Taiwan for five decades, and becoming the island's first president from an opposition party.

He promised voters that he would crack down on graft, and his first four-year term involved some high-profile corruption investigations.

But he's been much less successful in his second term, which began in 2004. Many of his former supporters have grown disillusioned with his leadership.