Lai seeks constitutional clarity on legislative demands

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Monday (June 24) said he would await a constitutional interpretation before deciding whether to respond directly to legislators' questions during future reports to the Legislative Yuan (立法院). This statement follows the recent passage of a controversial bill that mandates the president to regularly deliver a State of the Nation Address (國情報告) at the Legislative Yuan and answer questions on the spot, raising significant constitutional concerns.

The legislative reform bill, which was amended and passed on its third reading, has sparked a debate over its constitutionality. Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus convener, noted, "Before the constitutionality is confirmed, President Lai will not go to the Legislative Yuan to report on the state of the nation." Speaking in the Presidential Office foyer for the first time, Lai emphasized his commitment to "protecting the constitution and the people" and expressed his intent to seek a constitutional interpretation.

When pressed by the media regarding the timing of this interpretation and how the Presidential Office would handle invitations from the opposition to the Legislative Yuan, Lai maintained that personal intentions should not override constitutional order. He urged the opposition to respect the constitution's gravity and refrain from precipitating actions until the constitutional interpretation is confirmed.

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