TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) has called on legislators to “return to democratic and rational communication methods,” following several high-profile physical altercations amongst lawmakers.

Speaking at a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) meeting on Wednesday (July 10), Lai said the public does not like to see conflict in the legislature, according to party spokesperson Han Ying (韓瑩). Han told CNA that during the meeting Lai said that five DPP members had sustained injuries in a conflict that broke out on Monday.

Legislators have recently engaged in scuffles over various legal amendments. Monday’s altercations and one on July 4 occurred after DPP legislators attempted to disrupt meetings discussing amendments to Taiwan’s recall law, which were proposed by the Kuomintang (KMT).

In late May, legislators made global headlines with a fight over proposed legal amendments that would increase the legislature's powers. Those amendments have since passed, and the constitutional court began reviewing a challenge submitted against them by Lai's office on Wednesday.