Protests erupt as opposition-controlled Taiwan parliament pushes pro-China ‘reforms’
The 'reforms' by the opposition meanwhile have irked the pro-democracy people of Taiwan
Taiwan'spro-China opposition, which enjoys a one-seat majority in thecountry'slegislature, on Tuesday (May 28) carried out"reforms"that may end up curtailing thepowers of the president.The Nationalist Party, whichofficially backs reunification with China,wants to give the legislature agreatersay in deciding thecountry'sbudget and security affairs.Notably, the party has blockedTaiwan'sdefence spending in the past to appease China.
Protests erupt
The'reforms'by the oppositionmeanwhilehave 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).
The bill comes as Taiwan got its new president earlier this month in the form of LaiChing-te
Details about the contentious bill
The billis aimedat grantingthe legislature the power to question, demand, or investigate personal documents of any government official, military general, the general public and even the president.
The law would also give the parliament access to confidential documents.
Watch:China-Taiwan tensions: Is China preparing to invade Taiwan?
It is backed by KMTas well asTaiwanPeople’sParty, 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 legislaturedoesn'tmeanthat theamendment will become law. The executive branch of the government, The Executive Yuan, may veto it or refer it to the president. Thepresident'sapproval is required within10days for a bill to become law.In case both of themfail to comply, the billwon'tmaterialise.
'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”.
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)