The Legislature agreed on Thursday to vote on controversial bills proposed by opposition parties that could potentially expand congressional powers. Legislators agreed to hold meetings with the Committee of the whole Legislature on June 19 and 20, and the Legislature will vote by ballot on June 21.
The set of controversial reform bills were passed at the end of May, and prompted thousands of people protesting outside the Legislature. Shortly after, the Cabinet proposed to veto the bill, citing the amendments violated Taiwan’s constitutional democratic process. With President Lai’s approval of the Cabinet’s proposal on Tuesday, the Legislature is set to review the bills again.
The KMT caucus proposed two paths forward, either to complete the deliberation on Friday, or hold a Committee of the whole Legislature meeting on June 17 then vote on June 18. The TPP caucus agreed to the proposal; however, the DPP caucus pointed out that the deliberation schedules of vetoed bills in the past have been longer. The DPP caucus emphasized that the Legislature should use this opportunity to look at the bills more closely and reexamine their provisions, and complete the processing before June 25.
Following tense consultative discussions, the Legislature decided that the vote will take place on June 21, with the Committee of the whole Legislature meeting on June 18 and 19. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) will address the Legislature and answer interpellation during the Committee of the whole Legislature meeting.