TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As Taiwan's election day approaches, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) advocate for a parliamentary system to balance political powers if elected.
This would subject the president to parliamentary oversight during his or her time in office. Supporters argue that this move would strike a balance between power and accountability, but experts point out a central challenge.
The Debate Surrounding a Parliamentary System
"They say they want a parliamentary system, but I think it's a statement suited for their position as the opposition parties. Before President Tsai Ing-wen was elected in 2012, she was also pushing for a parliamentary system," noted Albert Chiu, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Tunghai University.
He emphasized that the parliamentary system receives media coverage every time candidates mention it and is often brought up in debates. However, Chiu questions whether elected officials actually put it into practice.
Yang Yung-ming, a professor in the Department of Political Science at National Taiwan University, elaborated on the challenges of implementing a parliamentary system. "First, the parliamentary system won't attract much support under the current political climate because it's complicated, and most don't understand it," said Yang.
"Secondly, we've grown accustomed to Taiwan's electoral structure under the presidential system. Can a parliamentary system appeal to the public? This needs time for education and implementing corresponding measures," he added.
Taiwan's Political Evolution: Comparative Perspectives on Parliamentary Systems
Taiwan's political structure currently leans toward a semi-presidential system, and it has undergone seven constitutional amendments since 1991. The most significant of these changes was the 1996 amendment that eliminated the need for the Legislative Yuan's consent in appointing the Premier. Despite past proposals by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for a cabinet system, it did not materialize.
Experts suggest that candidates must demonstrate their sincerity by presenting concrete plans for implementing such a system, including issuing a white paper. Many also doubt whether the public would support such changes.
While a Cabinet-run government may seem appealing on paper for Taiwan and is the standard in many democratic countries, experts argue that most countries adopting such a system originate from constitutional monarchies, like England and Japan.
Given the sensitive nature of issues like cross-strait relations in Taiwan's politics, adopting a parliamentary system could make it more challenging for government officials to reach a consensus. Nevertheless, the KMT and TPP persist with their proposals as the elections near their final stages.