Taiwan’s opposition gives William Lai and his DPP minority government a headache

Legislative clashes over opposition’s accountability bills are likely to add to Lai’s challenges in his first term, analysts said

DPP’s attempts to use Beijing as a factor to attack the mainland-friendly opposition will only exacerbate divisions on the island, they warned

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Opposition lawmakers in Taiwan celebrate inside the legislature after passing controversial bills to oversee the power of the executive branch on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

Published: 10:00pm, 1 Jun 2024

The opposition majority in the Taiwanese legislature is already proving to be a headache for the island’s new leader William Lai Ching-te, after passing a package of bills that ramp up oversight of the executive branch.

The legislation – which passed on Tuesday in a combined vote by the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and the smaller Taiwan People’s Party – is likely to add to Lai’s challenges in his first term, experts said.

They also noted that attempts by Lai’s Democratic People’s Party (DPP) to use Beijing as a factor to attack the mainland-friendly opposition would only serve to exacerbate divisions within the legislature and the public.

The opposition’s legislative package moves the Taiwanese legislature closer to holding an oversight role similar to the US Congress, with measures that include an expansion of lawmakers’ investigative powers.

The new laws establish “contempt of the legislature” as an offence, with a maximum penalty of a NT$200,000 (US$6,170) fine.

This will criminalise public officials and civil servants who provide false statements to hearings or when questioned by lawmakers on important matters of which they have knowledge.

The legislature also won the authority to request information and related documents from government agencies, the military, legal entities, associations, or other relevant individuals. Failure to comply, delayed responses, or intentional concealment of pertinent information may result in fines of up to NT$100,000 (US$3,000).

Taiwan’s opposition gives William Lai and his DPP minority government a headache

Legislative clashes over opposition’s accountability bills are likely to add to Lai’s challenges in his first term, analysts said DPP’s attempts to use Beijing as a factor to attack the mainland-friendly opposition will only exacerbate divisions on the island, they warned

Legislative clashes over opposition’s accountability bills are likely to add to Lai’s challenges in his first term, analysts said

DPP’s attempts to use Beijing as a factor to attack the mainland-friendly opposition will only exacerbate divisions on the island, they warned