TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) signed controversial legislative reform bills into law on Monday (June 24).

The amendments to the Act Governing the Legislative Yuan’s Power and Criminal Code were criticized by many for giving too much power to the Legislative Yuan. 

It can now form investigative committees with subpoena powers, which can recommend charges against officials in other branches of government and vote them out of office. The president is also required to deliver an annual State of the Nation address, and must answer questions from lawmakers.

In a speech, Lai said that opposing the expansion of legislative power does not mean opposing congressional reform. The Legislative Yuan should not arbitrarily expand its powers, he said.

He pledged to file for a constitutional interpretation of the bills and called for a temporary injunction until their legality is decided by the courts. 

“Regardless of the outcome, both the ruling and opposition parties must respect and accept the decision, and I hope that the public will support this as well,” the president added.

“Now is a historical moment to defend the constitutional system of freedom and democracy,” Lai said.