Taiwan's Control Yuan, NCC face 'zero commissioner' crisis amid political deadlock
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Taiwan's Control Yuan and National Communications Commission (NCC) face a vacancy crisis starting August 1.
- DPP legislator Lin Chu-yin criticizes the opposition for blocking personnel appointments, paralyzing government functions.
- The vacancies halt crucial tasks like broadcast license renewals and penalty assessments.
Taiwan's Control Yuan and the National Communications Commission (NCC) have entered a critical period of zero commissioners starting August 1, following the expiration of their members' terms. This situation has drawn sharp criticism from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), with legislator Lin Chu-yin accusing the opposition parties of "destroying the constitution and creating chaos."
Because the blue and white parties maliciously obstructed the personnel confirmation rights, the Control Yuan and NCC have historically entered a state of paralysis with 'zero commissioners, complete vacancy' starting today.
Lin stated that the opposition's refusal to review the NCC personnel list and their insistence on abolishing the Control Yuan without initiating constitutional amendments amount to malicious obstruction of personnel confirmations. This, she argued, has paralyzed essential government operations. The Control Yuan's 7th-term commissioners' appointments are slated for review in August, with public hearings and committee reviews before a potential vote next session. However, the NCC is facing its first-ever commissioner vacancy in its 20-year history, with only acting chair Chen Chong-shu and commissioners Wang Cheng-chia and Wang Yi-hui having their terms end.
The paralysis affects over 700 cases, including broadcast license renewals and violation penalties, which cannot proceed without commissioners. Lin condemned the opposition's tactics, calling the obstruction of personnel confirmations a "sneaky and despicable" method to stall governance. She emphasized that reviewing appointments is a constitutional duty of legislators, not a political bargaining chip for the opposition.
They are paid with taxpayer money but collectively stall and paralyze government operations. This is destroying the constitution and creating chaos.
"They are paid with taxpayer money but collectively stall and paralyze government operations. This is destroying the constitution and creating chaos," Lin asserted. She challenged the opposition to openly propose constitutional amendments if they truly intend to abolish the Control Yuan, rather than resorting to blocking appointments.
If you have the guts, propose constitutional amendments openly. The constitution has not yet been amended, and the Control Yuan is a statutory constitutional organ.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.