President Lai Ching-te has made it clear that he will request an
interpretation from the Constitutional Court over the so-called parliamentary
reform bills.

At his first "open-hall" press conference, Lai announces that he has signed
the amendments to the Exercise of Legislative Powers Act and the Criminal
Code earlier today and will release them in accordance with the Constitution.

However, he also says that in order to protect constitutional order and
people's rights, he's decided to apply for a constitutional interpretation
and preliminary injunction over the bills.

Lai's move follows the blue- and white-camp lawmakers' rejection of the
Executive Yuan's reconsideration proposal on Friday with votes 62 vs. the
DPP's 51.

Lai also points out that the most important reasons for him to oppose the
amendments is that they expand the legislators' power to the point that
infringe upon judicial and Control Yuan's powers.

Most importantly, the President says they must not violate the fundamental
rights of the people, such as the right to privacy, trade secrets, and
freedom from compelled speech.

Meanwhile the DPP legislative caucus and the Executive Yuan have also vowed
to take the bills to the grand justices to see if they go against the
constitution.


(JL)