A dispute between government branches continued today over a Chinese-born lawmaker who allegedly failed to renounce her Chinese citizenship before being sworn in as a legislator for the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).
Newly-sworn in TPP Legislator Li Zhenxiu (李貞秀) appeared before the Legislative Yuan’s Internal Administration Committee for the first time today, where she asked questions before an empty podium after the committee’s convenor, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lee Po-yi (李柏毅), said that government officials did not have to respond to her questioning.
The committee respects Li’s right to speak, but also the Cabinet’s position that officials do not need to respond, he said.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
The committee would act in accordance with the legal consultation announced by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) last week.
On Wednesday, Han said he would back Li’s right to assume her seat until the courts reach a final verdict.
Li is a Chinese-born spouse of a Taiwanese who allegedly failed to fulfil several qualifying conditions to take office, including renouncing her Chinese citizenship.
She obtained Taiwanese residency in 1999, but did not submit any proof of having relinquished her household registration in China until March last year, Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said.
People from the Chinese area must continuously have a registered household in Taiwan for 10 years before being eligible to serve as a legislator, he said.
Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) refused to take the stand today, resulting in Li directing questions at an empty podium.
“I am a legislator of the Republic of China,” Li said, and repeatedly asked Liu to step up to the podium.
The Ministry of the Interior “does not care about people’s livelihoods and only wants to continue political infighting,” she said.
Moreover, she said that the ruling DPP “does not care about justice,” and asked the convenor to make a fair ruling and respect a legislator in office.
“Taiwan is a country ruled by law and the Constitution,” she said, asking Liu to respect the Constitution.
DPP lawmaker Wang Mei-hui (王美惠) replied that the Constitution does not allow for dual nationality, implying she is therefore not constitutionally allowed to hold office.
Lee Po-yi added that the Ministry of the Interior would respond during the break to “questions raised by members of the public,” referring to Li.
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