Taipei, Taiwan – Protests are expected to resume in Taiwan on Friday over a divisive bill that would greatly expand parliament's investigative powers and has already drawn thousands of people to the streets.
Protesters gathered outside the legislature on Tuesday to coincide with the first reading of the bill, and lawmakers will meet again on Friday for the second reading.
While many democracies have similar provisions for legislative investigations (such as the Watergate investigation in the United States or the phone hacking scandal in the United Kingdom), protesters say the authors of the Taiwan bill have forced it on over the course of the year. voting process and that it lacks the checks and balances necessary to prevent abuses.
Civil society and many jurists also oppose the bill, but the Kuomintang (KMT), which backs it, says the reforms are necessary to “consolidate and refine” Taiwan's democracy. Also included in the bill is an ambitious but controversial infrastructure project to link the island's east and west coasts.
This week's protests followed a fight last Friday in the legislature over the same bill, something of a Taiwanese political tradition.
The opposition KMT, along with the smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP), won a majority in parliament in January elections, while William Lai Ching-te of the rival Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was elected president.
Here's everything you need to know.
Why is this bill so controversial?
Critics of the bill say its scope is too broad and potentially unconstitutional. The bill would, in theory, give lawmakers the power to question, investigate or demand documents from any government official, military general or the president.
This lawsuit includes a vaguely worded “contempt of the legislature” clause, which critics say could be used as punishment for asking questions or “answering,” criminalizing officials who are unwilling to cooperate. Critics also say the bill is duplicating the work of the Control Yuan, a special government body empowered to investigate lawmakers and audit the government.
Critics fear the bill could threaten Taiwan's national security because it could force government officials to reveal critical information, according to Austin Wang, a US-based political scientist specializing in Taiwanese politics.
“In the bill, lawmakers can ask the military to hand over sensitive information, which is problematic since some lawmakers have been accused of leaking information to China. There is no longer a check and balance in this investigation,” he stated.
What about the controversial infrastructure project?
While it has generated fewer headlines, the bill also includes plans for a controversial $61 billion infrastructure project that would build high-speed rail and improve roads on Taiwan's less populated east coast. The region is known for its rugged natural beauty, but it is also prone to earthquakes and typhoons and landslides, which is why the project has not yet been carried out.
Wang told Al Jazeera that the size of the plan is unsustainable because it is equivalent to Taiwan's annual budget. He would strip much-needed funds from Taiwan's military if he hopes to deter China from a military attack.
He also said the plan could force Taiwan to receive funding from China, which claims sovereignty over the island and, despite periodically threatening Taiwan's existence, is also its largest trading partner.
Why do protesters call the bill undemocratic?
This issue has been under discussion for some time in Taiwan's legislative committees, but DPP lawmakers and critics say the KMT and TPP are trying to push through their version of the bill without any consultation or input. PDP lawmakers claim they were unable to see the full text of the bill before it was put to a vote.
The timing of the bill is notable because it coincides with Lai's inauguration. He was sworn in on Monday, marking the start of an unprecedented third term for the PDP.
The bill suggests the political road could be bumpy.
William Stanton, former director of the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto US embassy, told Al Jazeera that the KMT and the TPP appear to be involved in a power play after losing the presidential election. Traditionally, Taiwan's legislative agenda has been set by the executive branch of the government, but the two parties appear set to change the system.
“I think it shows that [the KMT and TPP] They see their majority in the Legislative Yuan basically as a way to undermine Lai Ching-te's election. “It’s unfortunate, but that seems to be the case,” Stanton said.
Wu Min Hsuan, co-founder of disinformation monitor Double Think Lab, said protesters didn't like that behavior either.
“In general, people are worried that the KMT and TPP can pass any law they want and eliminate any kind of deliberation. They don’t need the committee to agree to anything,” Wu said. “We don't want a 'winner takes all.' “We don't want that, if you have a majority in parliament, you can take away the voice of that minority, because otherwise we don't need legislators at all.”
What does this furor tell us about where Taiwan is headed?
Taiwan has a strong tradition of protests and it is not unusual to see people on the streets, but observers say the latest demonstrations are worth watching.
The feeling in the air is already reminiscent of the Sunflower Movement of 2014, when student protesters occupied the legislature to block a trade bill that would have brought Taiwan closer to China. As in 2014, the latest protests have attracted students and young people.
The strong performance of youth is also notable for another reason.
During the December and January election season, the DPP struggled to attract its usual demographic of younger voters, with many drawn to the TPP, which promised new ideas under the iconoclastic former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je. . If the protest continues to grow in the legislature, it could change that narrative.
