When the most recent legislative session ended a few days ago, the legislators reversed their usual practice of pushing through a heap of bills at the last moment to prove their efficiency. This time, only a few bills were passed. This was the result of blackmail by some legislators who represent particular vested interests as they tried to force the legislature to pass so-called "money-pit bills" (
The public has given Taiwan's legislature rather low ratings and even views it as a source of chaos in society. Apart from some "legislators-at-large" (
The adoption of a "medium-sized electoral district system" is perhaps the prime culprit, as several lawmakers are elected in each multi-representative district. In the medium-sized electoral district system, candidates may be elected by winning only a portion, even a very small percentage, of the votes cast.
On the other hand, those who promote the overall interests of the people find it difficult to get elected, due to their lack of support from particular vested interests or ethnic groups. From this perspective, it is not surprising that the Legislative Yuan is full of lawmakers who propose such money-pit bills at the behest of vested interests.
Further, since they do not care about the interests of other groups, but only about their own interests, lawmakers often wage tit-for-tat struggles against each other. Consequently, the possibility of integration within this microcosm of our multi-ethnic society is slim and the current electoral system must take at least part of the blame for that.
The medium-sized electoral district system was actually created by the KMT, as the former ruling party was trying to enhance its ability to manipulate local factions by rewarding them with more legislative seats. Today's KMT, however, is no longer the ruling party and its influenced has declined thereby.
Additionally, the party has long suffered from factionalism. The KMT, therefore, seems to have no reason to object to a new, small, single representative electoral district system. Also, since the DPP, PFP and New Party strongly opposed the KMT's faction-based politics, they have no reason to object to a small electoral district system either.
Moreover, the lack of a two-vote system is another source of chaos in the legislature. Independent lawmakers seem to have the loudest voices during partisan negotiations. These lawmakers, however, are just like businessmen who "travel around trading on their own" (跑單幫). Although they are allowed to participate in partisan negotiations, they do not have to bear political responsibility because they do not belong to political parties. Actions by such mavericks create problems as well.
Also, since all the parties name their legislators-at-large according to election outcomes, legislators-at-large are not directly examined by voters and are often derided for being unrepresentative. The function of party representation is completely lost on them, as the "legislator-at-large" system only serves as a fall back for candidates who fail to win seats outright. These legislators-at-large do not take care of the overall interests of the people. Only by implementing a two-vote system can we solve this problem and stress each party's political responsibilities.
To conclude, I would sincerely appeal to the Taiwanese people to vote for candidates who support a single-representative district, two-vote system in the year-end legislative elections. I would also like to appeal to candidates of good conscience to come forward and vow to change the electoral system to a single-member district, two-vote system. Otherwise, we will continue to endure legislative chaos.
Otto Huang is a lawyer and a member of the Standing Committee of the Judicial Reform Foundation (JRF).
Translated by Eddy Chang
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