TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday appointed Supreme Prosecutors Office head prosecutor Hsu Hsi-hsiang (徐錫祥) as interim prosecutor general after the legislature rejected his nomination for the post on Tuesday.
Opposition lawmakers voted against Hsu over concerns about his impartiality, per ETtoday. The TPP caucus also questioned his lack of experience in appellate-level prosecution work.
Under the law, if the incumbent prosecutor general dies or becomes unable to perform official duties, the president must submit a nominee to the legislature within three months, per Liberty Times. Because there is no term limit for an interim prosecutor general, Hsu could remain in the position until a permanent appointment is confirmed.
A legal insider said the appointment raised concerns because, while the system allows the office to continue functioning, the lack of legislative confirmation could create procedural concerns when exercising some of the office’s more significant powers.
High Prosecutors Office head prosecutor Chen Hung-ta (陳宏達), who had previously opposed Hsu’s nomination, also criticized the interim appointment, per China Times. Chen argued that Supreme Prosecutors Office head prosecutor Lu Wen-chung (呂文忠), who is senior to Hsu and had not been rejected by the legislature, would have been a less controversial choice.
Chen said an interim prosecutor general should be selected based on “neutrality, low controversy, and transitional” principles rather than extending the political will behind a rejected nominee. He has previously argued that Hsu’s experience in both prosecutorial and politically appointed roles could undermine public trust in prosecutorial neutrality, per Storm Media.
Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) defended Hsu on Thursday, highlighting his experience in anti-corruption and national security work, per Mirror Media. She said the failed confirmation reflected the composition of the legislature rather than Hsu’s qualifications.
Hsu previously commented on his failed nomination by saying the result showed he had not worked hard enough, per UDN.
