Taiwan’s Ruling Party Challenges Revamp of Key High Court

(Bloomberg) -- Taiwan’s ruling party is asking the highest court to pause and potentially throw out legislation that may limit the judiciary’s ability to function, a move that could give President Lai Ching-te a big win in his battles with the opposition over issues including the budget and defense spending to deter China.

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Democratic Progressive Party caucus whip Ker Chien-ming said at a press briefing Thursday that a request for the Constitutional Court to grant a temporary injunction and review the law would be filed shortly. A spokesman for the court confirmed that it got the request.

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The revamp sought by the opposition led by the Kuomintang, which favors better ties with China, could effectively paralyze the apex court. That’s because it requires at least 10 justices to be seated to hand down rulings, and the body now has only eight due to retirements. The opposition has blocked Lai’s nominations for new justices.

If the high court grants the DPP’s wishes, the Constitutional Court can continue to serve as a critical check on legislative actions that could undercut Lai’s leadership of Taiwan, a focal point in tensions between China and the US. In October, it rejected a change that would have granted lawmakers greater power to scrutinize the executive branch.

The risk for the Constitutional Court is that its credibility could be dented if it rejects changes sought by lawmakers who won a majority in parliament a year ago.

The KMT has said the revamp is needed so more views are considered when major decisions are made. The DPP argues the opposition is trying to undermine Lai’s government. It has made similar comments about the opposition cutting the 2025 budget and about other amendments the opposition has passed, such as one that would give local governments a greater share of tax revenue at the expense of the central level.

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