Fighting erupts in Taiwan’s parliament after opposition KMT occupies building in ‘protest against tyranny’
- More than 20 KMT lawmakers blocked entry to the main chamber with chains and chairs
- Ruling DPP accuses main opposition party of orchestrating a ‘farce’
Fighting erupted in Taiwan’s parliament on Monday as lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) broke through barricades erected by the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) who had occupied it to protest against government “tyranny”.
Taiwan is a rambunctious democracy and fights and protests inside the parliament building are not an uncommon occurrence.
More than 20 KMT lawmakers occupied the legislature overnight on Monday, blocking entry to the main chamber with chains and chairs, saying the government was trying to force through legislation and demanding the president withdraw the nomination of a close aide to a high-level watchdog.
Late on Monday morning, DPP lawmakers pulled down the barricades and forced their way in, surrounding the main podium where their KMT opposite numbers had holed up.
There were scuffles and shouting as the KMT, including its youthful new chairman Johnny Chiang, struggled to hold their position. Chiang left the podium, appearing to be pulled out a side door, before returning to the floor.
A more peaceful scene soon resumed with KMT lawmakers standing in protest at the front of the podium, and DPP legislators behind them, as they took turns shouting slogans.