TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Economist criticized the KMT and other opposition politicians Tuesday, saying they were undermining Taiwan’s democracy for political gain.
In a column, the magazine said opposition parties have “triggered a rolling constitutional crisis.” Opposition lawmakers have delayed government budgets for months, including funding for US arms purchases, and blocked judicial appointments, leaving Constitutional Court justices uncertain whether they have enough members to resolve government disputes.
The magazine said the opposition has also blocked efforts to build up Taiwan’s domestic drone industry. The DPP government proposed an NT$210 billion (US$6.59 billion) budget in June to procure 210,000 uncrewed aerial vehicles and small kamikaze drone boats.
“Taiwan needs drones, is good at electronics, and could also export to Western countries desperate for non-Chinese kit,” the magazine said. However, the KMT and its allies are hindering new drone orders until next year.
A senior KMT figure told the magazine that the party is stalling Taiwan’s drone plans because legislators fear the government would channel funds to firms that donate to DPP coffers.
DPP politicians have criticized KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) for casting doubt on the US as an ally and promoting expanded ties with China, the magazine said. They also criticized Cheng after she met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in April.
Despite Cheng’s claims that she is trying to prevent a war rather than sell Taiwan out, the DPP has accused some KMT members of serving as Chinese agents. “There is no doubt that Taiwan is the target of Chinese influence operations,” the magazine said.
The Economist argued that Taiwan’s freedoms should strengthen deterrence by raising the cost of a Chinese takeover and that Taiwanese politicians must protect the country’s democracy themselves. However, those freedoms “are being betrayed from within,” it said.
