On Friday, a physical conflict erupted among lawmakers in the Taiwan Legislative Yuan, Taiwan’s parliament, during deliberations on a controversial parliamentary reform. The reform was proposed by the opposing parties who currently hold a legislative majority. The confrontation resulted in five lawmakers requiring hospital treatment. Notwithstanding the dispute, it has been determined that the second reading of the proposed reform will proceed on Tuesday, May 21.
The minority party tried to occupy the president podium in a bid to stall the progress of the reform package, leading to the physical altercation. Despite the violence, the meeting continued until it was adjourned to Tuesday by Han Kwo-yu, the president of the Legislative Yuan. The legislative majority condemned the outbreak of violence in the legislature following an incident wherein a minority member was pushed from the podium, necessitating hospital care due to a head injury.
The contentious parliamentary reform package aims to expand the power of the legislature, chiefly through the addition of a new criminal offense for contempt of the legislature. Critics have raised concerns about this proposed offense, fearing that it risks codifying the investigative powers of the legislature. This is controversial because it contradicts a previous constitutional interpretation released by grand justices. According to this interpretation, which the Taiwan Constitutional Court upheld, other governmental branches exercising their constitutional powers should not fall under the legislative body’s investigative authority.
Critics are also worried about criminal liability possibly being influenced by a lawmaker’s subjective determination of whether an official committed contempt of the legislature. Deputy Justice Minister Chen Ming-tang and legal scholar Lin Chih Chieh, suggest that this offence could inhibit officials, citizens, and civic groups from providing information to the legislature due to fears of potential repercussions.
Further controversy has arisen from an opaque legislative process. The legislative majority has been criticized for failing to share the final version to be voted upon with all lawmakers. Taipei City Council member Miao Po Ya criticized the proposal of 28 different versions of the proposed reform, some of which contradict one other, to the legislature on the day of the second reading.
Local media reports also suggest that the legislative majority acted in bad faith, by refusing to engage with the minority party during a legally required freeze period. The Law Governing the Legislative Yuan’s Power necessitates a one-month freezing period, during which political parties are required to consult with each other. Despite this, the Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee dismissed the version put forth by the minority party, thus preventing it from being deliberated upon by the wider legislative body.
The alleged infringement of procedural justice has reportedly resulted in citizens gathering in protest outside parliament. News on this issue is especially salient, as Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) President-elect Lai Ching-te is due to take office on Monday. Despite being the ruling party, the DPP did not maintain a legislative majority in the 2024 election, leading to a coalition majority in the legislature featuring the opposing Kuomintang and the Taiwan People’s Party.