Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers blocked Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) from delivering his first address to the legislature yesterday to demand that the government raise a proposed tax rebate to NT$10,000 (US$328.90).
The legislative agenda was disrupted as KMT lawmakers blocked Chen from taking the podium, and negotiations later in the day ended with a postponement of the policy address to Friday next week.
KMT members occupied the legislative chamber floor and podiums, and urged that the government’s plans for a tax rebate of NT$6,000 be raised to NT$10,000, while criticizing high housing costs, low wages, energy policies and labor insurance reforms.
Photo: CNA
KMT members held placards demanding: “Issue NT$10,000 in cash,” referring to the planned distribution of a tax surplus through a one-time cash handout for all citizens and eligible foreign residents.
Chen arrived at the Legislative Yuan in the morning with Deputy Premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦) and other Cabinet ministers, but they were prevented from entering the chamber. Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫?) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers tried to mediate.
KMT caucus whip Tseng Ming-chung (曾銘宗) said his party wanted to expedite the cash rebate, and accused the government of not handling issues such as pension reforms, energy policies, low wages and long-term care for the elderly.
Tseng and other KMT members vowed to block the premier from delivering his address until the rebate is raised to NT$10,000.
Chen told reporters that he would like all parties to support the new stimulus package of NT$380 billion for post-COVID-19 economic revitalization.
“In the package’s budget there are portions to provide assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises and for low-income households,” Chen said, adding that support would also be available for commuters and people with student loans and mortgages.
DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) asked KMT lawmakers to end the boycott, adding that “they should take up the regular legislative interpellation sessions with the Cabinet.”
The “KMT know they are at fault, but are shifting all the blame onto the DPP. They also blocked former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) 13 times, preventing him from taking the floor for interpellation sessions,” DPP caucus director Cheng Yun-peng (鄭運鵬) said.
“KMT members again prevented Chen’s first address, so all lawmakers have wasted their time in this morning’s legislative session because of such meaningless actions,” New Power Party Legislator Claire Wang (王婉諭) said.
“It really angers me. Lawmakers have the duty to oversee and make checks on government administration, and our job is to question the premier and ministers on their policies,” Wang said, adding that the “KMT has long operated in the legislature, but they still do not understand these basic principles.”
Aside from the cash rebate, the new premier has many other pressing matters to deal with, Wang said.
“There are housing problems, reforms for labor and health insurance, traffic safety issues, improving the economy and people’s livelihoods. Does the KMT not care about any of these important issues?” she added.
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