Taiwan Parliament Brawl: Chaos Erupts in Legislative Yuan
Lawmakers in the Taiwanese parliament engaged in a physical altercation on Friday, May 17, amidst a heated debate over reforms to the chamber.
Scenes of Chaos
As the dispute escalated, chaotic scenes unfolded with lawmakers shoving, tackling, and hitting each other. One lawmaker took a drastic step to prevent the passage of a bill by snatching it and fleeing.
Roots of the Conflict
The brawl occurred just days before the inauguration of President-elect Lai Ching-te from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), known for advocating Taiwan’s distinct identity and opposing China’s territorial claims.
Before the vote on a controversial reform bill, tensions rose as lawmakers outside the chamber began screaming and pushing each other.
Lawmaker’s Bold Move
Amidst the chaos, a video circulated on social media capturing a lawmaker, identified as DPP’s Kuo Kuo-wen, grabbing the bill and evading others to exit the parliament.
Political Dynamics
The conflict stems from a bill aiming to grant the parliament increased oversight over the government, including penalizing officials for false statements. The DPP accused opposition parties of bypassing consultation processes, leading to tensions.
Protests and Reactions
Outside the parliament, demonstrators gathered to voice their opposition to the bill, particularly its perceived favoritism towards China-friendly parties like the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).
