TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) restated his intent to return the amendments passed on Tuesday (May 28) to the Legislative Yuan for reconsideration and petition for a constitutional interpretation.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus will petition for a constitutional interpretation of the amendments passed by the opposition parties, which grant the legislature greater oversight powers. Before being passed concerns were raised by the public and lawmakers about the Legislative Yuan’s failure to review the bills in accordance with legal procedures, according to a Cabinet press release.

Under the new amendments, the legislature gains “investigative rights" to form committees, access documents, and hold hearings. The bills also punish those who commit "contempt of the legislature," change the nomination process for key government positions, and call on the president to give an annual state address to lawmakers and take their questions.

According to Cho, the provisions could violate the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, infringe on people's rights and interests, and face constitutional disputes involving legal clarity. He said the amendments do not clearly define "contempt of the legislature,” and that the legislature’s “investigative rights” cause concerns over excessive interference in the executive branch.

Cho said that under the Constitution, if the amendments are deemed unconstitutional or difficult to implement, the Cabinet will return them to the legislature for reconsideration within 10 days. If over half the number of lawmakers support the original amendments, the Cabinet must accept them, but if a resolution is not reached within 15 days, the bills become invalid.

Cho said the Cabinet's proposed review is not meant to escalate conflict between the two chambers. He said the hope is to build consensus through dialogue, improve the amendments' quality, and respond to the public's concerns. 

The controversial reforms brought tens of thousands onto the streets in May to protest what, according to the DPP, was an overreach of power and lack of discussion before the bills were passed.