Taiwan Premier's Refusal to Endorse Amendments Sparks Fierce Debate

A heated exchange has erupted between ruling party legislator Yeh Yuan-chih and lawyer Huang Ti-ying over Premier Cho Jung-tai's decision not to endorse legislative amendments passed by the opposition-controlled legislature. Yeh Yuan-chih, a member of the Kuomintang (KMT), criticized Cho's stance on a television program, comparing it to the historical figure Zhao Gao's manipulation of power during the Qin Dynasty.

“

Premier Cho Jung-tai's refusal to endorse the legislative amendments is akin to the mindset of Zhao Gao in the Qin Dynasty, who distorted reality.

Huang Ti-ying swiftly retorted, questioning Yeh Yuan-chih's legal standing and knowledge. Huang pointed to two instances where the Taipei City government, under Mayor Chiang Wan-an, had ruled Yeh Yuan-chih's actions illegal. He suggested Yeh should "look in the mirror" before questioning a lawyer's education, implying Yeh himself lacked legal understanding.

Huang further argued that the KMT and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) are misinterpreting the constitutional implications of the premier's refusal to endorse the amendments. He stated that the premier has a constitutional duty to uphold democratic principles and social justice. Therefore, refusing to endorse laws deemed unconstitutional is a necessary legal action to safeguard democracy.

“

Yeh Yuan-chih was twice certified as acting illegally by the Chiang Wan-an city government, yet he still has the audacity to question if I've studied.

The lawyer emphasized that if the legislature disagrees with the premier's refusal, they hold the power to initiate a no-confidence vote. Since the KMT and TPP command a majority, they could easily force the premier's resignation. Their reluctance to do so, Huang contended, implicitly validates the premier's decision as constitutionally legitimate. He accused the opposition of using legislative maneuvers to paralyze oversight bodies like the Control Yuan and the National Communications Commission, and of attempting to decriminalize legislative aides' corruption and reclaim state assets, calling these actions a "disgrace to democracy."

“

The premier's refusal to endorse unconstitutional laws is a necessary legal action to protect democratic constitutionalism.