TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) sharply criticized President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Tuesday (June 25), accusing him of betraying public trust and undermining the constitution.
Ko challenged the Democratic Progressive Party's (民進黨) commitment to the reforms it once championed within the congressional reform bill. A day earlier, President Lai announced plans to seek a constitutional interpretation and a temporary halt to these reforms in response to the legislature's rejection of an executive branch bill.
At a Monday press conference, Lai urged restraint from the opposition until the constitutional court could review the matter. However, Ko condemned Lai's promise to deliver a state of the nation report to the legislature — a promise he reneged on post-election — calling him "untrustworthy and a liar."
Ko accused Lai of threatening the opposition and undermining the law by seeking to bypass the legislative process with a constitutional challenge, actions Ko views as destructive to the rule of law.
Ko also lamented the ongoing political disputes since the January 13 presidential election, criticizing the lack of party reconciliation amid national issues like power shortages and health care challenges.
Despite Kuomintang (國民黨, KMT) caucus whip Fu Kun-chi's (傅崐萁) efforts to facilitate a legislative report by the president, Ko insisted such invitations should be standard, not exceptions. He questioned Lai's influence over the grand justices and his daily fostering of division, which Ko believes endangers Taiwan. On June 24, President Lai officially enacted the parliamentary reform bills, in line with constitutional requirements.
