In Taipei, thousands of protesters have gathered as opposition lawmakers attempt to push through controversial legislation that would grant them greater investigative powers and effectively curtail President Lai Ching-te's authority. This legislative push has led to violent confrontations within the legislature and sparked significant public outcry, reminiscent of the 2014 Sunflower Movement. Protesters have taken to the streets around the parliament, voicing concerns that the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and its ally, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), might succeed in passing the legislation.
The proposed changes would significantly expand lawmakers' abilities, allowing them to summon the president, corporations, and the general public for questioning, and access confidential documents. Critics fear these powers could derail President Lai's agenda, lead to sensitive information leaks, and impose penalties on those who refuse to comply. Taiwan already has the Control Yuan, a supervisory body with investigative and impeachment powers, making the new amendments controversial.
Inside the legislature, the scene was chaotic, with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers, supportive of President Lai, protesting against the amendments with placards and symbolic boba tea-shaped torches. Tensions escalated into shoving matches, with KMT lawmakers accusing the DPP of being a violent party. The DPP's protests included colorful slogans and accusations of opposition deceit.
President Lai, who was sworn in on May 20, faces significant challenges if the legislation passes, as it could impair his ability to implement policies amidst the ongoing China-US tensions. The KMT denies any external influence on the law, framing it as a response to public opinion. However, the expedited process of bringing the legislation directly to a floor vote, bypassing normal committee deliberations, has intensified public anger.
Protests have been rapidly organized across at least ten cities, facilitated by social media platforms like Threads. Even Miaoli, a traditionally KMT-supporting county, has seen demonstrations. The movement has been dubbed the "Blue Bird Action" to avoid political tagging by social media algorithms.
Despite the protests and slow progress on the legislative floor due to DPP's stalling tactics, the opposition majority in parliament makes the passage of the amendments likely. The DPP has vowed to seek a constitutional review if the legislation passes, citing both procedural and substantive violations. As the legislative standoff continues, public demonstrations and political tensions remain high in Taiwan.
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