TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislators held a second public hearing Thursday (Jan. 15) on impeachment proceedings against President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) amid fierce debates among experts and scholars. Chang Ya-chung (張亞中), recommended by the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, asserted President Lai's actions crossed constitutional boundaries and met impeachment criteria. The Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, advanced the review process.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) refused to endorse the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures (財劃法), a fiscal law governing budget distribution. KMT and Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) legislators initiated impeachment proceedings in response to the refusal. The Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, voted to proceed with the review, leveraging their combined numerical advantage over the ruling party.
Former TPP legislator Jang Chyi-lu (張其祿), recommended by the TPP caucus, emphasized the impeachment's significance lies in sparking public debate and serving as a democratic warning. Chang Ya-chung criticized President Lai for rejecting congressional checks and balances, accusing him of allowing laws passed by the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, to remain unpublished and unenforced. Chang argued this behavior undermines Taiwan's constitutional order and democratic principles.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨), Taiwan's ruling party, lawyer Jacob Lin (林俊宏) argued the impasse should be resolved through a no-confidence motion against the premier. Lin dismissed the legal grounds for impeaching the president under Taiwan's constitutional framework and separation of powers. TPP legislator Chen Chao-tzu (陳昭姿) stressed the Legislative Yuan's duty to protect citizens' rights and urged the president to avoid undermining the constitution.
