Politics

Legislative Speaker's Impromptu National Day Remarks Draw Mixed Reactions

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By Hank Hsu/John Van Trieste

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Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu's off-script remarks at Saturday's National Day celebration referencing the president and premier draw mixed reactions.

This year’s National Day ceremony in Taipei has brought Taiwan’s political impasse between ruling and opposition blocs to the fore. During his speech, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu went off script to comment on Premier Cho Jung-tai's decision not to countersign a tax allocation law. He also called on President Lai Ching-te to improve coordination between the executive and legislative branches.

HAN KUO-YU, LEGISLATIVE SPEAKER (KMT):

"If President Lai can’t resolve the ongoing standoff between the legislative and executive branches while in office his future reputation will be heavily damaged."

The reaction to this off-the-cuff part of the speech has drawn mixed reactions. The Taiwan People’s Party said Han’s comments reflected the current relationship between the ruling and opposition parties.

CHEN GAU-TZU, LEGISLATOR (TPP):

"Legislative Speaker Han said what he really feels. There truly are some tensions between the ruling and opposition parties."

But officials from the Presidential Office said National Day was an occasion for unity. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party also expressed reservations about Han’s remarks.

CHUANG JUI-HSIUNG, LEGISLATOR (DPP):

"He added fuel to the fire at a time of ruling-opposition confrontation at the National Day celebration. It's rather a shame."

This deviation from the script, didn’t in the end, spoil the festivities. Premier Cho Jung-tai, said that National Day should be a happy occasion. But with local elections just over a month away, calls for cooperation remain in focus.

Hank Hsu and John Van Trieste for TaiwanPlus.