Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is escalating its battle with the opposition by petitioning the Constitutional Court to halt and ultimately overturn legislation that they argue would cripple the judiciary, Bloomberg reports.
This move comes amid rising tensions between the DPP and the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), and a potential victory for President Lai Ching-te could significantly bolster his position on key issues, including budget control and defense strategies against China.
DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming announced Thursday that a formal request for a temporary injunction and constitutional review of the controversial law would be filed imminently. A spokesperson for the Constitutional Court confirmed receipt of the request.
The disputed legislation, spearheaded by the KMT, seeks to restructure the apex court and could effectively paralyze its operations. The revamp mandates a minimum of 10 justices for rulings, while the court currently has only eight, due to recent retirements. The KMT has also actively blocked President Lai’s nominations to fill the vacant seats. The KMT, which advocates closer ties with China, argues that these changes are needed to ensure that diverse perspectives are considered in major judicial decisions.
The DPP, however, contends that the opposition’s true intention is to undermine President Lai’s administration. If the Constitutional Court grants the DPP’s request, it would preserve the court’s function as a crucial check on legislative overreach and strengthen Lai’s executive authority. In October, the Constitutional Court had already sided with the executive branch, rejecting a move by lawmakers to increase their scrutiny powers over the government.
The Constitutional Court faces a significant challenge. If it rules against the legislative changes, it risks damaging its credibility with the public after the opposition secured a majority in parliament a year ago.
This is not the first point of contention between the DPP and the opposition. The DPP has accused the opposition of attempting to hamstring President Lai’s government through measures such as cuts to the 2025 budget and a recent amendment that shifts a greater share of tax revenue to local governments at the expense of the central government.
