KMT, TPP criticize Lai as hearings continueTOE TO TOE: The passage of the impeachment motion targeting President William Lai is not likely, as it needs the support of two-thirds of the legislatureStaff writer, with CNAOpposition lawmakers yesterday lashed out at President William Lai (賴清德) at a Legislative Yuan plenary session after Lai declined to appear at a hearing on an impeachment motion directed at him. Opposition lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against Lai last month after the president declined to promulgate a bill passed by opposition lawmakers that would increase the share of tax revenue allocated to local governments. This week’s first impeachment hearing was held yesterday based on the schedule passed by the main opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the smaller Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). KMT caucus convener Fu Kun-chi (傅?萁) said that by declining to attend the hearing, Lai attempted to evade legislative oversight and public scrutiny after he had infringed on Taiwan’s democracy and constitutional order. The passage of the motion is not likely as the KMT, TPP and two independents ideologically aligned with the KMT combine for only 62 (about 55 percent) of the 113 legislative seats.

Source: Taipei Times January 21, 2026 17:13 UTC