Han Kuo-yu addresses foreign concern over disputes

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) expressed concern on Wednesday (May 22) over the confusion and sympathy from foreign guests regarding the recent disputes within the Legislative Yuan.

The comments came after a prolonged session on Tuesday night (May 21) that saw the continuation of a parliament reform bill involving around 20 amendment clauses, including a controversial provision preventing officials from counter-questioning.

The session was marked by accusations from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers, who criticized Han for proceeding with votes without a proper headcount, calling the move irregular and opaque. In contrast, Kuomintang (KMT) legislators accused the DPP of intentionally demanding headcounts to delay proceedings.

DPP legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) argued that a fair chairperson should initiate headcounts to ensure the accuracy of votes, while KMT's Ko Chih-en (柯志恩) questioned why the DPP resorted to smearing Han, suggesting their actions were unreasonable.

The session's handling drew criticism from various parties, with New Power Party (NPP) Chairperson Claire Wang (王婉諭) criticizing the direct move to a third reading, leaving many unclear about the bill's specifics.

Taipei City Councilor Huang Ching-yin (黃瀞瑩) from the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) noted the DPP's reluctance to discuss the bill's details, preferring to send it back to the committee for review. Meanwhile, DPP's Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) suggested Han was unprepared and under the control of his party members.

The session underscores the deep divisions within Taiwan's Legislative Yuan and the challenges of pushing through legislative reforms amid accusations of procedural irregularities and lack of transparency. As the debate continues, the focus remains on finding a balance between efficiency and democratic process in Taiwan's legislative practices.