The central level reform issues came up first. Even before the conference began, the KMT's dual executive mixed system idea was being attacked on all sides. Skeptics argued that the proposal was aimed at expanding presidential power and establishing a firm foundation for the vice-president serving concurrently as premier. Some boldly declared that the proposal was simply intended to pave the way for Lee Teng-hui to run for re-election.
首場上陣的是中央體制變革方向議題，國民黨版的雙首長混合制在國發會未開之前，便已遭輿論圍攻，主要質疑該議是為總統擴權、行政院長兼任副總統量身訂做的憲政改革，甚至有輿論直指那是為李登輝競選第十任總統的鋪路設計。