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Protesters hold umbrellas in the rain during a rally in front of Taiwan’s Legislative Building on May 21, 2024, to oppose a bill proposed by the opposition party that aims to strengthen oversight of the executive branch of government.
Taipei
CNN
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Thousands of mostly young protesters surrounded Taiwan’s legislature late on Tuesday night, protesting against an opposition push for greater scrutiny of Taiwan’s new leader and his administration by a parliament dominated by lawmakers who support closer ties with China.
The protests marked the beginning of the turmoil surrounding the presidential election of Lai Ching-de, who was sworn in on Monday after winning a historic third consecutive term for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which defends Taiwan’s sovereignty and is hated by the Chinese government. Showing.
It also illustrates the challenges facing the nascent government, which currently lacks a parliamentary majority and is controlled by two opposition parties, the Kuomintang Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).
The protesters are outraged by what they see as an attempt by the KMT and the TPP to fast-track a bill that would give Parliament broad powers to impose greater oversight on the executive branch of government.
Some protesters paid homage to the 2014 student-led protests in which hundreds of students occupied parliament for weeks in protest of the Kuomintang’s controversial trade deal with China. There were also people holding sunflowers. These protests contributed to the KMT’s defeat in an election two years later, and it has not been able to regain the presidency ever since.
Under the proposed bill, government employees found to have made false statements to Congress would be fined under a new criminal offense called “contempt of Congress,” vaguely worded by critics. or may be subject to imprisonment.
They could also be punished if they refuse to answer questions, provide documents, or withhold information during a hearing.
Meanwhile, the president would be required to address Congress annually on major policy issues.
Opponents say the proposal could force officials to disclose sensitive foreign and defense information to Congress or face criminal penalties, which they believe could undermine security on the islands.
The DPP also accused the opposition parties of trying to force the bill through a vote without allowing enough time for policy deliberation.
Meanwhile, the KMT and TPP argue that new laws are needed to improve government accountability and fight corruption, pointing to similar legislative checks and balances on executive power around the world. are doing. Both parties also accused the Democratic Progressive Party of spreading disinformation and trying to paralyze the legislature.
In a sign of growing political divisions, disagreements over a controversial reform bill erupted into a brawl on the floor of Congress last Friday, with some lawmakers jumping over tables and dragging colleagues into the chamber. There was chaos, and several members of Congress were taken to the hospital. .
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The protests, mostly attended by young people, continued into the night.
As Parliament resumed session to debate the bill on Tuesday, protesters braved a downpour in the afternoon to gather outside the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan’s unicameral parliament, from morning until late into the night, many joining after school or work, with organizers citing more than 30,000 participants.
Some held placards calling the legislative process a “black box” and demanding the bill be withdrawn. “No debate, no democracy!” some shouted.
Ricky Lee, a 28-year-old office worker, said he was concerned about the bill’s vague wording and lack of consultation.
“I’m concerned that it opens the door to abuse of power by members of Congress…what if they start using their newfound power to exact revenge against their political opponents,” he said, adding that the bill was not fully debated. He pointed out that there was a lack of transparency.
“Given the current state of cross-Strait relations and the fact that a new government has just been inaugurated, the opposition party’s attacks on Taiwan’s democratic institutions and political infrastructure merit our attention.”
Debate on the bill is due to resume in Parliament on Friday.
Lai, 64, a former doctor and vice president, was sworn in on Monday along with new vice president Hsiao Bi-kim, who recently served as Taiwan’s top minister to the United States.
Both leaders and their parties openly despise the Chinese government, which defends Taiwan’s sovereignty. China’s ruling Communist Party claims the autonomous democracy is part of its territory, even though it has never ruled, and has vowed to seize the island by force if necessary.
