Why Taiwan Lawmakers Moved to Curb President’s Powers
Demonstrators during a protest outside the Legislative Yuan in Taipei, Taiwan, on May 21.
Photographer: An Rong Xu/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Taiwan’s capital witnessed its largest protests in years after the island’s lawmakers joined forces in May to pass a bill that expands their powers and makes it harder for new President Lai Ching-te to govern.
The changes tightened parliament’s oversight of Lai’s government by strengthening lawmakers’ powers to summon people from a range of backgrounds, including the president, to answer their questions. Individuals could be subject to fines and criminal punishment if they are found in contempt of the legislature.