Taiwan

Taiwan's pro-China opposition, which enjoys a one-seat majority in the country's legislature, on Tuesday (May 28) carried out "reforms" that may end up curtailing the powers of the president. The Nationalist Party, which officially backs reunification with China, wants to give the legislature a greater say in deciding the country's budget and security affairs. Notably, the party has blocked Taiwan's defence spending in the past to appease China.

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Protests erupt

The 'reforms' by the opposition meanwhile have irked the pro-democracy people of Taiwan, thousands of whom assembled outside the legislature to voice their anger.

Inside the parliament, heated arguments broke out between the leaders of the Nationalists (known as KMT) and the pro-Democracy Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

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The bill comes as Taiwan got its new president earlier this month in the form of Lai Ching-te

Details about the contentious bill

The bill is aimed at granting the legislature the power to question, demand, or investigate personal documents of any government official, military general, the general public and even the president.

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The law would also give the parliament access to confidential documents.

Watch: China-Taiwan tensions: Is China preparing to invade Taiwan?

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It is backed by KMT as well as Taiwan People’s Party, another major opposition party.

Austin Wang, a US-based political scientist specialising in Taiwanese politics, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera, “In the bill, the legislators can ask the military to hand in sensitive information, which is problematic since some legislators have been accused of leaking information to China. There is no check-and-balance under this investigation any more.”

Silver lining

The approval by the legislature doesn't mean that the amendment will become law. The executive branch of the government, The Executive Yuan, may veto it or refer it to the president. The president's approval is required within 10 days for a bill to become law. In case both of them fail to comply, the bill won't materialise.

'KMT undermining democracy'

The DPP has accused the KMT of trying to undermine democracy in the island nation.

The party denounced the bills as “black box”.

Also read: After China drills, Taiwan president again offers talks

The Nationalists governed Taiwan for more than four decades under martial law but have lost three consecutive presidential elections to the DPP.

However, they still wield power through well-entwined networks of business and social interests on the local level.

(With inputs from agencies)