TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Chaos erupted in Taiwan's legislature on Thursday (July 4) as Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators occupied the podium of the Internal Administration Committee, preventing the discussion of proposed amendments to the "Civil Servants Election and Recall Act." The standoff occurred before the committee could even begin its session.
Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) condemned the DPP's actions, accusing them of "kidnapping Taiwan's democracy" and questioning President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) intentions. "Do you want to cage Taiwan's democracy?" Ko asked.
Kuomintang (KMT) legislators had proposed raising the threshold for recall elections, which the DPP vehemently opposed. Committee convener Ciwas Ali (高金素梅) adjourned the meeting and announced that discussions would resume on Monday (July 8).
Ko noted that all three major parties — KMT, DPP, and People TPP — had differing opinions on the amendments. Both KMT and DPP have their proposals.
The TPP has already stated its opposition to raising the recall threshold, with legislator Mạch Ngọc-trân (麥玉珍) expected to cast a crucial dissenting vote. Ko criticized DPP legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) and Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) for abandoning their committee duties to join the occupation, further paralyzing legislative proceedings.
Ko stated that the DPP has gone beyond the reasonable scope of parliamentary tactics and has effectively placed civil servants under house arrest, confiscated discussions, and locked up Taiwan's democracy.