A public hearing of Taiwanese lawmakers on Friday descended into complete chaos as one politician was seen trying to snatch a bill to avoid approval, a video program reported.
Days before Taiwan’s newly elected President Lai Ching-de, who will replace President Tsai Ing-wen, is scheduled to take office on Monday without the support of a legislative majority, lawmakers reportedly stormed the chamber before chaos erupted. It was seen inside that they were yelling at each other outside and pushing each other. according to Go to NBC News. But when members moved indoors to consider giving the government more powers, a physical altercation broke out. (Related: China’s most powerful spy agency vows to ‘resolutely fight’ against Taiwan independence)
A video posted online shows one lawmaker wearing a white shirt tearing what appears to be a bill under discussion from another lawmaker’s hands. Deputies can be heard screaming in the video as other deputies try to grab the white-shirted politician, but he is unable to break through the crowd sprinting toward the door. did it.
According to a translation by a news commentator who reported on the incident at the time, the members were said to have moved at the “speed of an American football player.”
🚨🇹🇼#breaking news:A Taiwanese lawmaker stole a bill and ran away to prevent it from being passed.
LMFAOOOOOO 😭😭😭
— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) May 17, 2024
In addition to the footage, members were reportedly milling around the speaker’s chair, jumping over tables and dragging other members to the floor. according to to Reuters. The Kuomintang Party (KMT) does not have enough seats to form its own majority but outnumbers the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), so the KMT reportedly It is reported to be working with the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). report.
Fox News said the main debate during the rally was over a proposal pushed by the National Party that could impose criminal penalties on officials if they are found to be lying in parliament. According to the paper’s report, the Democratic Party claimed that both the National Party and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) were attempting to push through legislation in an “unconstitutional abuse of power” by circumventing due process.
“Why are we against it?” Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Wang Mei-hui told Reuters he wanted to ensure there was a debate, not just one voice in the country.
However, the Nationalist Party has pushed back against this claim, saying the reforms are aimed at aiding legislative oversight of the government, according to Reuters.
“The Democratic Progressive Party has been used to monopolizing power, so they don’t want this bill to pass,” Jessica Chen of the Kuomintang Party told the program.
All three party members reportedly took part in the scuffle.
