Taipei, May 24 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian called for public and legislative support Friday for 27 presidential appointments for ranking government posts, saying that outstanding talent must go hand in hand with a sound system for the country's reform and progress.
Chen made the remarks during an informal meeting with the 27 nominees. Vice President Annette Lu was also present.
Yao Chia-wen, who once served as chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and is currently a senior advisor to the president, was nominated for the presidency of the Examination Yuan, Taiwan's highest government agency in charge of holding national examinations.
Chang Po-ya, a veteran female politician who was elected twice as mayor of southern Chiayi City and a former minister of the interior, was appointed as Examination Yuan vice president.
Meanwhile, another 19 hopefuls were nominated for Examination Yuan members, including one aborigine and three incumbents. At the same time, three candidates were listed for each of the vacancies of grand justice and Control Yuan members.
Of the 27 candidates, seven are women and one is an aborigine.
All these presidential appointments must be approved by the Legislative Yuan.