The referendum against the abolition of the death penalty and against martial law passed the second reading. Ke Jianming argued that the meeting is invalid and will initiate a constitutional interpretation.
讀後心得
On the 25th, the Legislative Yuan continued to discuss the referendum proposals against the abolition of the death penalty and against martial law proposed by the Kuomintang (KMT). After a vote, it was decided to directly submit them for a second reading. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers expressed strong dissatisfaction, asserting that the vote was illegal and indicating that they would seek constitutional interpretation. During the meeting, DPP lawmakers protested on the floor, and some lawmakers were injured due to the events, and it is expected that they will file a lawsuit against the KMT. The KMT stated that they would appeal to the disciplinary committee. The referendum proposals against the abolition of the death penalty and against martial law relate to government positions on the death penalty and cross-strait relations, respectively, and call for a national referendum.
The Legislative Yuan continued to process the referendum proposals against the death penalty and martial law put forward by the Kuomintang (KMT) group yesterday, and moved directly to the second reading. Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties confronted each other in the chamber. After the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers left the podium, KMT lawmakers requested the President of the Legislative Yuan to continue the meeting. With the numerical advantage of the blue and white coalition, a vote was held, deciding to move the two referendum proposals put forward by the KMT group directly to the second reading. The DPP caucus leader stated after the meeting that the vote of the assembly was illegal, asserting that the meeting was invalid; even if the Legislative Yuan submitted the referendum proposals and the Central Election Commission accepted them, they would still apply for constitutional interpretation and temporary injunctions.
DPP lawmakers occupied the podium on the 21st in protest against the dissatisfaction towards the vice secretary-general of the New Party and continued until the evening. They subsequently left when they saw that the KMT had not mobilized to clear the area. Immediately, KMT lawmakers took to the podium, and the President of the Legislative Yuan announced the continuation of the meeting. During the meeting, Han Kuo-yu emphasized proceeding according to the rules of procedure, to which DPP lawmakers shouted, "Illegal meeting, meeting invalid." When voting occurred, KMT lawmakers used the voting devices while DPP lawmakers chose to abstain from voting. With the numerical advantage, the two referendum proposals were moved directly to the second reading through a vote, and the KMT group assumed responsibility for subsequent negotiations.
After the meeting, Ker Chien-ming accepted media interviews and stated that the KMT's actions did not comply with procedures, mentioning that he suffered an injury during the protest and would seek legal recourse. The KMT caucus then held a press conference, criticizing the behavior of the opposition party and stating they would impose disciplinary action against Ker Chien-ming. The main text of the referendum against the death penalty is "Do you agree that 'the judges of collegiate benches in all levels of courts do not need to reach a unanimous decision when sentencing to death'?" while the main text of the referendum against martial law is "Do you agree that the government should avoid war and prevent Taiwan from becoming a region under military martial law?" and they called on citizens to participate in voting together.
