Taipei

Thousands of predominantly young demonstrators encircled Taiwan’s legislature late into Tuesday night, voicing their opposition to a move by opposition parties to subject the island’s new leadership and its administration to heightened scrutiny from a parliament dominated by lawmakers favouring closer ties with China, source reported.

The protests signal a tumultuous beginning to the presidency of Lai Ching-te, who assumed office on Monday after securing a historic third consecutive term for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), known for advocating Taiwan’s sovereignty and drawing Beijing’s ire.

The scenes underscore the hurdles faced by Lai’s nascent administration in the absence of a parliamentary majority, with control now in the hands of two opposition groups, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), as reported by source.

Demonstrators expressed outrage over what they perceive as an expedited attempt by the KMT and TPP to rush a bill through the legislature, granting sweeping powers to the parliament for enhanced oversight over the executive branch.

Symbolising their dissent, some protesters carried sunflowers, reminiscent of the 2014 student-led protest movement when hundreds occupied the legislature for weeks, opposing the KMT’s contentious trade deal with China. These protests played a pivotal role in the subsequent electoral defeat of the KMT, which has since failed to regain the presidency.

The proposed legislation introduces a new criminal offence of contempt of parliament, allowing fines or imprisonment for government officials, including the president, found making false statements to the legislature.