Ma’s move against speaker leaves Taiwan in turmoil
Ma Ying-jeou's move against Speaker whips up a political and legal storm and is seen as a warning to other legislators who have defied him
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has whipped up a political storm by sacking Wang Jin-pyng, the popular Speaker of the legislature, with analysts warning he risks a legislative backlash, a split in his party and questions over judicial independence.
Wang's sacking and expulsion from the KMT amid accusations he sought to influence a legal case involving an opposition lawmaker has sparked the biggest political crisis on the island since 2006, when thousands took to the streets to demand the ousting of corrupt former president Chen Shui-bian.
The fallout threatens to hit the judicial, executive and legislative branches of government and may undermine the very constitution and judicial system Ma vowed to protect, analysts and lawmakers say.
"At fault is the way Ma dealt with this obviously political power struggle by accusing Wang of influence-peddling," said Hou Han-jyun, associate professor of public administration and policy at Taipei University.
An indignant Ma, in his capacity as KMT chairman, demanded that Wang, 72, stand down as president of the Legislative Yuan on Wednesday. Hours later, the KMT's disciplinary body revoked Wang's membership, costing him his seat in the legislature.
But Wang has fought back, with the Taipei District Court yesterday granting him an injunction against his expulsion.
Wang enjoys broad support in the legislature, helped by his status as a native rather than a more recent immigrant. He hails from Kaohsiung, the southern city that is the power base of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party and the hotbed of Taiwan's pro-independence movement. He has served as Speaker since 1999.