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KMT, TPP slam Lai over challenge to oversight bills
Taiwan's opposition parties are criticising President Lai Ching-te's plan to seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court on the recently passed legislative reform amendments despite signing them into law.
KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi urged Lai to “bravely face the parliament and the people” and appealed to the court to show judicial conscience by not opposing the amendments to the Law Governing the Legislative Yuan's Power and the Criminal Code.
For its part, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) expressed regret over the matter, saying that parliamentary reform was the expectation of the ruling and opposition parties and the people.
The TPP also accused President Lai Ching-te of being unwilling to face legislative oversight and holding tightly onto his executive power.
This comes as the president said he would seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court over the Legislative Yuan's recent changes. Lai said he supports legislative reforms, but not the unconstitutional expansion of legislative power, saying that "reforming the Legislature must comply with the law and the Constitution." Lai also pointed out that the most important reasons for him to oppose the amendments is that they expand the legislators' power to the point that they infringe upon judicial and Control Yuan's powers. Most importantly, the president said they must not violate the fundamental rights of the people, such as the right to privacy, trade secrets, and freedom from compelled speech. The cabinet and the ruling DPP have also said they would be asking for rulings from the Constitutional Court.
President Lai has also announced that he will decide whether to make a policy presentation at the Legislative Yuan after receiving the results of the constitutional interpretation. Lai made the comments at an “open hall” session when the media asked how he would respond if the KMT and TPP lawmakers request that he make a report to the Legislative Yuan before the interpretation results are out.
The president explained that since the law passed by the Legislative Yuan could run against the constitution, and that his office has requested a constitutional interpretation, it is prudent to wait for the results. He's also calling on the opposition legislators to respect the seriousness of the Constitution and refrain from taking hasty actions before the Constitutional Court issues its interpretation.
On the grand justices' position, Lai says while the outcome of the constitutional interpretation is unknown now, both the ruling and opposition parties should accept it so that the country can move forward. All the current 15 grand justices were nominated by Lai's predecessor Tsai Ing-wen.
