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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan adjourns after 11 minutes, drawing criticism

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Taiwan's Legislative Yuan convened for a session that concluded after only 11 minutes, passing two legislative amendments.
  • The session was extended until August 31 by the opposition parties, who hold a majority, to continue legislative work without a break.
  • Opposition parties, including the DPP, criticized the short session, calling the extension a "protective umbrella" for legislators facing legal issues and urging them to face judicial processes.

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan convened for a session that concluded remarkably quickly, adjourning just 11 minutes after opening. During this brief meeting, the legislature managed to pass two legislative amendments: one to the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act and another to Article 23 of the Urban Roads Act.

Following the swift adjournment, Vice President Chiang Chi-chen announced the session's end at 9:11 AM, with the chamber's large screen displaying the word "Adjourned." By 9:21 AM, only staff members remained in the chamber, organizing documents. This session's extension was proposed by the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) legislative caucus and passed by the Kuomintang (KMT) and TPP, who hold a numerical advantage. The extension will see the legislature remain in session until August 31, seamlessly transitioning into the next session in September without any breaks.

The opposition parties have repeatedly extended the legislative session, turning the Legislative Yuan into a 'protective umbrella' for legislators involved in cases.

— Chuang Jui-hsiung, DPP caucus whipCriticizing the extension of the legislative session and its implications for legislators facing legal scrutiny.

However, the brevity of the session and the extension have drawn criticism. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus condemned the move, labeling the extended legislative sessions as a "protective umbrella" for legislators involved in legal cases. DPP caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung stated that legislators facing legal issues should confront the judiciary directly, rather than receiving preferential treatment based on political affiliation. Caucus secretary-general Fan Yun echoed this sentiment, urging the KMT and TPP to allow the 17 legislators involved in judicial cases to proceed with legal procedures without wasting public funds and using the extended session as a legislative "shield."

We urge the KMT and TPP parties to allow the 17 legislators involved in judicial cases to properly face the judicial process, and not to waste public funds by using the extended session as a legislative version of 'Golden Bell Shield' or 'protective umbrella.'

— Fan Yun, DPP caucus secretary-generalCalling on the ruling parties to ensure legislators facing legal issues address them through the proper channels.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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