Taiwan Parliament Erupts in Brawl Over Controversial Reforms

Taiwan's parliament descended into chaos on Friday as lawmakers exchanged blows and threw objects, resulting in at least one hospitalization. The melee was sparked by disagreements over proposed reforms, including criminal penalties for lying in parliament.

Taiwan's parliament witnessed an unprecedented outbreak of violence on Friday as lawmakers engaged in a heated brawl over proposed reforms. The melee, captured on video, revealed punches being thrown, a chamber curtain being torn, and a lawmaker falling on his head while attempting to crawl over his colleagues. The injured parliamentarian was rushed to the hospital, underscoring the severity of the altercation.

The fight erupted mere days before President-elect Lai Ching-te is set to assume office on Monday. Lai, from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), will succeed President Tsai Ing-wen, who is also a member of the DPP. The DPP has a minority in parliament, but the main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), lacks a majority and has been collaborating with the smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP).

Amidst the chaos, one of the most contentious reforms being debated was a proposal to impose criminal penalties on officials found to have misled parliament. The DPP has alleged that the opposition parties are attempting to advance reforms without adhering to proper procedures, dubbing it "an unconstitutional abuse of power."

Jessica Chen, a KMT lawmaker, countered these accusations while wearing a military helmet, stating that the DPP opposed the reform because it had grown accustomed to monopolizing power.

Taiwan's parliament has witnessed sporadic chaos in the past. In 2020, pig guts were hurled onto the chamber floor during a heated debate over pork imports. DPP lawmaker Wang Mei-hui expressed concern about maintaining civility in parliament going forward.

Lai's election marked a change in leadership, with the DPP winning a minority of seats. The KMT, although lacking a majority, has been collaborating with the TPP to advance its agenda.

The reforms under consideration coincide with a delicate time in Taiwan's relationship with China, which views Taiwan as its own territory rather than an independent nation. Lai was once a vocal advocate for Taiwan to formally declare independence in its constitution, though the DPP has since softened its stance on the issue.

The brawl highlighted the deep divisions within Taiwan's parliament and raised concerns about the country's political stability. The incident served as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the new government as it navigates a complex domestic and international landscape.

Reuters contributed to this report.