KMT extends legislative session to July 31, DPP condemns 'Immunity shield'

Taipei, May 20 (CNA) Opposition lawmakers on Tuesday voted to extend the legislative session by two months to July 31, a move the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) criticized as an attempt to use the "Legislative umbrella" to fend off potential prosecution.

The proposal introduced on April 18 by the Kuomintang (KMT), backed by the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), was adopted in a 58-49 vote and will extend the legislative session from May 31 to July 31.

While speaking from the podium, DPP lawmakers placed several black umbrellas bearing the KMT emblem and the phrase "Legislative umbrella" on the floor, accusing the KMT of acting out of partisan self-interest.

The metaphor alluded to the constitutional and legal protections that shield lawmakers from being arrested or detained without the Legislature's consent while the Legislature is in session, unless they are in flagrante delicto.

DPP Legislator Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) said the party opposed the opposition's proposal because it lacked reasonable and legitimate purpose and was merely intended to fulfill the KMT's self-serving agenda.

Many KMT lawmakers are involved in legal cases, Wu said, citing KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi's (傅崑萁) alleged involvement in bribery through election giveaways and land deal scandals, and other KMT lawmakers are accused of falsifying signatures in recall petitions against DPP legislators.

According to Wu, the KMT will also seek to pass a bill that would require the DPP government to give each Taiwanese citizen a cash handout of NT$10,000 (US$331) -- a KMT counterproposal to the Cabinet's bill addressing U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs plan for Taiwan.

The true motive behind the KMT's plan to push through that bill was "to save its lawmakers who are currently facing recalls," Wu said.

Lawmakers from both the DPP and KMT face recall efforts from opposing party supporters and political tensions have continued to escalate since the new legislature was inaugurated in February last year.

KMT Legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) denounced the DPP for ignoring public demands by opposing the extension of the legislative session, accusing them of wanting a 60-day recess as a vacation.

Wang listed several bills requiring urgent attention, including tariff relief proposals ahead of the July 9 deadline for the 90-day pause on the 32 percent tariffs imposed by Trump on Taiwan to negotiate trade deals, amendments to child abuse laws, measures to promote artificial intelligence development, and housing bills aimed at supporting families with children.