Taiwan's Raucous Legislature: The Laws That Brought Politicians To Come to Blows

A look at the five laws that have divided Taiwan's legislature to the point of blows.

Transcript

00:00 A tense calm has returned to the legislature days after this brawl that injured several

00:04 lawmakers.

00:05 But there's little sign the issue that sparked this violence is getting resolved.

00:10 The opposition, led by the Kuomintang, has proposed five laws that would expand the legislature's

00:14 powers.

00:15 One's already passed its second of three readings.

00:18 It would require the president to take questions from lawmakers after a regular state-of-the-nation

00:23 address.

00:24 From here, things get more controversial, though.

00:27 The Kuomintang also wants to give the legislature the power of investigation and to summon people

00:31 to testify.

00:33 It also wants to subject cabinet officials to fines or jail time if they lie or withhold

00:37 information during questioning.

00:40 It wants lawmakers to have more power over approving government appointees.

00:44 And it wants an open record of votes for legislative speaker.

00:47 These changes are meant to give the legislature more power to oversee the executive branch.

00:52 But even within the chamber itself, there's deep division along party lines.

00:56 The ruling Democratic Progressive Party has just won its third consecutive term in the

01:00 presidential office.

01:02 It doesn't want to dilute its own power, especially as it only holds a legislative minority.

01:08 Office chair barricades and protest signs scattered across the chamber floor show that

01:11 the calm may just be a lull in a long battle.

01:15 Klein Long and John Van Triest for Taiwan Plus.

01:18 [BLANK_AUDIO]