Premier Lin Chuan was blocked by Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers on Tuesday from delivering his first policy report since taking office.
Using stalling tactics, the opposition legislators wanted Lin to sign a pledge concerning a number of issues of recent public concern. One of these was the issue of US pork imports, a matter Lin had planned to address at the legislative meeting.
The KMT lawmakers continued to block Lin in the morning and the afternoon despite Legislature President Su Jia-chyuan telling them to back down. Su therefore called for a recess in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) held a press conference arguing that the opposition was purposely trying to boycott the legislative meeting. DPP lawmaker Wu Ping-jui explained.
Wu said, “Today, [the KMT] has brought up a non-existent problem to occupy the podium and to hold a protest. We think it is a non-issue but rather an actual protest to boycott [the meeting]. Is it because they are still sore from their election defeat that they’re using such tactics? We hope the KMT will step back from the brink or this behavior is likely to face a backlash from the public.”
Near the end of the day, New Power Party lawmakers suggested extending the session. But after a vote of 57 to 5 against the suggestion, Legislative President Su adjourned the meeting for the day.