Ruling, opposition split leadership of legislative committees

Taipei, Oct. 1 (CNA) Taiwan's ruling and opposition parties have divided control of the Legislature's eight standing committees, each securing an equal number of convener positions on Wednesday.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won eight convener posts, while the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) took seven, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), the second-largest opposition group, claimed one.

Under legislative rules, each committee is jointly led by two conveners, who are responsible for setting the committee's agenda. Therefore, convener posts are highly sought after by the three caucuses.

Key items on the agenda for the 11th Legislative Yuan's fourth session, which opened Sept. 19, include reviewing the central government budget for next year and deliberating amendments to strengthen the protection of undersea cables critical to national security.