Taipei: Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan Judiciary and Organic Laws Committee has moved to propose the impeachment of Premier Cho Jung-tai, following his refusal to countersign the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures. The committee’s proposal urges the Control Yuan, the nation’s highest supervisory body, to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Premier, marking a significant development in the ongoing fiscal law dispute.
According to Focus Taiwan, opposition lawmakers Huang Kuo-chang, Lo Chih-chiang, and Wang Hung-wei spearheaded the move by proposing two censure motions, which were approved by the committee. The Control Yuan, which processes petitions in line with the Control Act, will now review the Legislative Yuan’s submission. However, the decision to initiate impeachment proceedings lies with the Control Yuan, currently comprising 28 members.
Under the Control Act, an impeachment motion requires initiation by at least two members of the Control Yuan and review by a panel of at least nine others. If approved, the case would be referred to the Judicial Yuan’s Disciplinary Court. This procedural pathway underscores the complexity of Taiwan’s political and legal framework in handling disputes involving public officials.
The committee’s actions come after a special session with Executive Yuan Secretary-General Xavier Chang and officials from the Judicial Yuan and Ministry of Justice, focusing on constitutional issues related to the Executive Yuan’s stance on the fiscal law. Chang outlined the reasons for Premier Cho’s unprecedented refusal to countersign the legislation, emphasizing constitutional concerns and potential financial ramifications.
Premier Cho’s decision marks a historic moment in Taiwan’s legislative process, as it is the first instance of the Executive Yuan refusing to countersign a piece of legislation. Chang defended this action, citing three unconstitutional aspects of the Act, including violations of the separation of powers and democratic procedures, as well as the financial burden it would impose on the central government.
The opposition’s censure motions accused President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho of misinterpreting constitutional provisions, arguing that their actions undermined the separation of powers by overriding laws passed by the Legislative Yuan. The motions received support from lawmakers of the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), while members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) opposed them.
In a related development, TPP leader Huang announced plans to propose an impeachment motion against President Lai during the next plenary session of the Legislative Yuan. This move highlights the ongoing political tensions and the strategic maneuvers within Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan.
DPP lawmaker Chung Chia-pin criticized Huang’s approach, arguing that it contradicts his previous stance on abolishing the Control Yuan. Chung suggested that Huang opted for impeachment proceedings over a no-confidence vote to avoid potential legislative dissolution and snap elections.
Premier Cho responded to the developments by emphasizing that the opposition’s actions demonstrate Taiwan’s democratic processes, distancing the nation from any notions of dictatorship. The unfolding events signify a critical juncture in Taiwan’s political landscape, with implications for the governance and constitutional interpretation in the country.