Taiwan lawmakers clash over controversial bills: Video
Taiwan's parliament descended into chaos as lawmakers engaged in a physical brawl over a series of controversial bills.
The heated session, which took place on Friday, December 20, saw members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party clash over proposed legislation that critics argue could undermine the island's democratic system.
The contentious bills, introduced by the KMT and its ally, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), aim to amend the Public Officials Election and Recall Act. These amendments would raise the threshold for removing elected officials, a move that the DPP claims would erode the democratic rights of Taiwanese citizens
The DPP lawmakers, in a bid to block the passage of these bills, occupied the podium of the parliament's main chamber and barricaded themselves inside, leading to a standoff with opposition members.
The confrontation escalated as lawmakers tackled each other and doused their opponents with water. The DPP accused the KMT of attempting to establish a "parliamentary dictatorship" by pushing through the amendments with their majority.
Outside the parliament, thousands of protesters gathered to voice their opposition to the bills. Demonstrators, including students and civil society groups, chanted slogans such as "return the evil amendments" and "defend Taiwan," expressing their fear that the legislation would strip away their rights to hold elected officials accountable.
