After Taiwan's election in January, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party or DPP won the presidential vote, but failed to secure a majority in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan or Parliament, ending up with 51 seats. The main opposition party, the China-friendly KMT won 52 seats and the smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP) with whom they have begun to partner won 8 seats. In addition, there were 2 independent seats which have also aligned with the KMT. All in all, the KMT have been able to secure enough support to elect their representative to the position of Speaker of the House and exercise control over the new parliament.
Recently the KMT and TPP have been using this majority control to push a package of controversial new legislation through the parliament. On the Friday before the Inauguration, their zeal to succeed resulted in formal parliamentary processes being thrown to the wayside as they attempted to ram through four bills, including legislation that would add a contempt of parliament offence to the criminal code and strengthen the Legislative's investigative powers. Also included were a number of East coast infrastructure projects which many worry could facilitate a Belt and Road style engagement with China.
However, the Friday attempt was thwarted after strong objections by the DPP triggered a brawl between elected representatives inside the chamber, ending with at least three officials being sent to the hospital.
The parliamentary proceedings which are broadcast live on television caught the attention of the public and an estimated 1000 or so democracy protesters quickly gathered on the street outside the parliament to show their disapproval.
The parliament resumed on Tuesday with the KMT and TPP re-energized in their quest to push the legislation through. However, the Taiwanese public were also re-energized and they showed up in their thousands throughout the day outside the parliament with the crowd swelling to over 10,000 by the evening time.
We spoke to a cross section of the people protesting on the streets around the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday May 21st to hear their reaction to these latest events happening in Taiwan's parliament.
Date of Recording: May 21st, 2024.
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| Thousands of pro-democracy supporters protest outside the Legislative Yuan in Taipei on May 21st, 2024 |
DIVE DEEPER:
Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:
- Taiwan's Lai faces early pressure from opposition legislative power play - Thompson Chau, Nikkei Asia (May 20th, 2024)
- Taiwan lawmakers battle over expanded legislative powers - Sean Scanlan, Taiwan News (May 20th, 2024)
- Amid chaos, bills on president's report to legislature closer to passage - Allison Hsiao et al, Focus Taiwan (May 18th, 2024)
