Vote on Recall Rules Deepens Partisan Gulf

TaiwanPlus News

Opposition lawmakers have blocked a Cabinet attempt to reverse stricter rules on the recall of politicians. But this isn't the end of a bitter partisan battle over recall campaigns and more.

Transcript

00:00This simple declaration is the latest fracture in the legislature.

00:08The opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party have upheld rules that would make it

00:12harder to launch recall campaigns against politicians, against the wishes of the cabinet.

00:18A surge of recent petitions has both ruling and opposition lawmakers in the crosshairs.

00:23But it's the main opposition, KMT, that stands to lose the most.

00:27With over 30 seats at risk to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's 13.

00:32These numbers aside, opposition lawmakers say they want to make sure recall campaigns

00:36are above board.

00:38And they say their new rules, like a requirement people signing petitions attach a photocopy

00:43of their national ID card, will stop any fraud.

00:58The vote to keep these rules in place is a big political win for the opposition.

01:03This is the third time in a row the cabinet has tried to block opposition policies, and

01:08failed.

01:09Now, some in the opposition camp say it's time for the head of the cabinet, Premier

01:13Zhuo Rongtai, to step down in defeat.

01:16Zhuo Rongtai is probably the best at speaking for his father, or holding his head up high,

01:23leaning on the seat of the head of the cabinet.

01:26This is a country's misfortune.

01:27But the ruling DPP isn't backing down.

01:30Its caucus leader says the party will take the matter to the constitutional court.

01:34We will use the standard set-up, which is a temporary dismissal, and then a trial.

01:41No matter who wins that battle, the resentment beneath Taiwan's deep partisan divide isn't

01:46going away.

01:48Klein Wong and John Van Triest for Taiwan Plus.

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