A scuffle broke out in Taiwan’s parliament on Friday during a debate over legislative reform. Deputies shoved, punched, tackled and climbed over tables to attack each other in a violent scuffle.
More brawls broke out throughout the day as tensions continued.
Taiwan’s legislature is not a stranger There were even fistfights, but Friday’s brawl was an outstanding display of parliamentary discipline and furniture acrobatics. Previous battles have used props such as water balloons and water balloons. pig intestinebut this was pure hand-to-hand combat.
The cause of the battle was pressure from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party and its allies to increase legislative oversight of the government.
Taiwan’s new president, William Lai Ching-de, will be sworn in on Monday.Rai won lead to victory He is scheduled to succeed outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, but with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) losing seats, he will be leading a minority government.
Lai Qingde speaks to supporters at a rally in Taipei, Taiwan, January 13, 2024. (Annabelle Chee/Getty Images)
The KMT failed to win enough seats to form a majority, forcing it into a coalition with a third group, the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). One mutual initiative between the two countries is a proposal to bring criminal charges against government officials accused of making false statements in Congress.
The Democratic Progressive Party accused the KMT and TPP of trying to push through their proposals without proper discussion and procedures, while the opposition argued that the Democratic Progressive Party government was unfairly resisting proper legislative oversight.
“The Democratic Progressive Party is used to monopolizing power, so they don’t want this bill to pass,” said Jessica Chen, a Kuomintang lawmaker who ran out of the riot to address the news conference wearing a military helmet.
by Taipei Times, discussion escalated From strong language to throwing hands in the hallway outside the legislative chamber. A scuffle soon spilled over into the chamber, where KMT lawmakers tried to create a human shield around Speaker Han Gyo-yu so that he could continue to read the bill and call for a vote.
At one point during the clash, new Nationalist Party lawmaker Xu Xiao took out a whistle and tried to play Taiwan’s national anthem to calm the situation. Chen took a more confrontational stance, digging his heel on the podium and shouting, “I’ll take on 10 of you!” To the Democratic Party.
One Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker said the argument with Mr. Chen was “like being bitten by an animal.” Some say Mr. Xu ultimately put away his flute and tried to strangle Democratic Progressive Party member Wang Mei-hui with a flag.
Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Guo Kuo-wen tried to rip some documents out of National Assembly Secretary-General Chester Chow’s hands as he fled from the chamber. Mr. Kuo said his own actions were “justified” because the KMT and TPP had become “increasingly violent” and Mr. Chou had sought to release some classified documents without going through proper channels. he claimed.
Due to the confusion, the Diet went into extra time, but chaos erupted again when two Democratic Progressive Party members tried to force their way to the podium. Five members of Congress were injured and taken to the hospital.
“This chaotic situation is likely to further fuel speculation that Mr. Lai will face a tougher challenge than his predecessor, President Tsai Ing-wen, in gaining support for his legislative policies once he takes office.” Stated. telegraph observed.
