President Lai signs amendments, seeks constitutional review

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Monday (June 24) signed amendments to the Act Governing the Legislative Yuan’s Power (國會職權修法法案), while expressing his intention to seek a constitutional interpretation to safeguard constitutional order. 

Lai explained he would act on the opposition's demand for regular reports to the legislature after the Grand Justices (大法官) have provided their interpretation, urging restraint from the opposition in the meantime.

Addressing media questions about his choice not to use his constitutional mediation powers, President Lai noted that the involvement of multiple government branches makes it inappropriate for him to mediate. He clarified that should conflicts arise among the five Yuans in the future, he would employ these powers to resolve disputes.

The opposition Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) has accused the Grand Justices of being biased towards the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨). President Lai, however, expressed confidence in the Grand Justices' ability to defend Taiwan's democratic constitution and resolve disputes impartially.

Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) caucus whip Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) criticized President Lai’s approach, asserting that a law should take effect upon announcement. He accused Lai of acting like an "emperor" by delaying the law's implementation based on personal will. Huang refrained from speculating on the outcome of the constitutional interpretation but emphasized proceeding cautiously with the constitutional amendments.

President Lai also expressed his desire to communicate directly with the public on important issues, acknowledging that the resolution of the current dispute hinges on the forthcoming constitutional interpretation from the Grand Justices.