TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Opposition Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) legislators launched impeachment proceedings Friday (Dec. 19) against President Lai Ching-te (賴清德). The legislators accused Lai of violating the Constitution of the Republic of China at the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament.
KMT and TPP representatives released the full impeachment document at a press conference. The document compares Lai to Yuan Shi-kai (袁世凱), former Republic of China president, accusing him of undermining the legislature. The proposal states Lai failed his constitutional duty under Article 72 to announce the law after the veto failed within ten days.
Lai convened a meeting with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) legislators Thursday (Dec. 12), directing the decision not to countersign. The impeachment proposal accuses Lai of shifting blame to Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰). The document warns that weakening parliament leads to trampling on the people, urging preservation of Taiwan's constitutional system.
TPP caucus leader Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) announced plans to hold public hearings nationwide to inform voters of Lai's alleged unconstitutional actions. The proposal underscores the president's obligation to promulgate laws promptly, which Lai allegedly neglected. The document draws parallels to historical figures who overstepped parliamentary authority. ◼
