On Friday morning, when Taiwanese MPs set to debate a proposal that gave lawmakers more power to oversee government actions, some lawmakers lost control and turned this debate into a physical fight.
In the video evidence of the parliament, it is seen that MPs are punching, kicking, and pushing each other without caring about their positions. During this chaotic event, some MPs captured the speaker’s seat, many people threw chairs and tables, and some pulled their colleagues to the floor. After a short while, this fight stopped, but it again resumed during the afternoon.
The reason behind the chaos
Taiwan’s two major parties, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), set to form the government, and the Kuomintang (KMT), the main opposition, are in strong disagreement over the draft reforms, including a controversial measure to criminalize officials for making false statements in parliament.
Mr. Lai’s DPP described this law as “an unconstitutional abuse of power.” The law was proposed by the KMT and its allies. As expected, there was a heated argument between lawmakers even before entering the House. In chambers, members were arguing and insulting each other.
Jessica Chen of the Kuomintang (KMT), representing the Taiwan-administered Kinmen Islands near the Chinese coast, stated that the proposed reforms aim to enhance legislative oversight of the executive branch. “The DPP does not want this to be passed, as they have always been used to monopolizing power,” she told Reuters, wearing a military-style helmet.
Disputed elections
Lai, who is set to be inaugurated on Monday, won January’s election, but his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its majority in parliament.
The main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), holds more seats than the DPP but lacks a majority on its own. Consequently, the KMT has been collaborating with the smaller Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which controls eight of the parliament’s 113 seats.
The brawl is being viewed as a troubling sign of the challenges ahead for the new government.
However, this kind of heated argument is not new to the Taiwanese legislature; lawmakers have indulged in this kind of practice from time to time undermining the deliberative nature of democracy.
