Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators who support a proposed constitutional amendment to increase the number of legislative seats yesterday lashed out at the chairmen of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the DPP, saying the party leaders were ignorant of the full content of the amendment and should apologize for their objections.
"I don't think they paid any attention to this amendment, nor did they think it through," DPP Legislator You Ching (
You urged the two chairmen to take a close look at the proposed amendment and to "choose what is good and not give it up just because of some criticism."
DPP Legislator Lin Cho-shui's (林濁水) criticism was even stronger.
"The constitutional amendments passed two years ago [halving the number of legislative seats from 225 to 113] were driven by populism. In fact, many political scientists have warned against lowering the number of legislative seats," Lin said.
However, DPP Legislator Chao Yung-ching (
Despite a fierce exchange of words, Lin and Chao did not reach any consensus yesterday.
DPP Secretary-General Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said that the DPP had adopted an open attitude towards the proposed constitutional amendment, providing that the issue of the number of the legislative seats could be put aside until legislators have decided on which governmental system the country should adopt.
KMT Legislator Hsu Shu-po (
Ma on Thursday declared his opposition to the issue, saying it would draw public antipathy.
Ma yesterday reiterated his opposition to the proposed amendment, and urged legislators to shift their focus from politics to what voters want.
Ma denied interfering with the party caucus' policies.
"The legislature amended the Constitution two years ago, and you can't change it again before it is implemented. This is common sense ... how can you so quickly turn your back on something you voted for?" Ma asked.
Additional reporting by Shih Hsiu-chuan and Mo Yan-chih
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