Taiwan - November 2024

On 18 October, the opposition Kuomintang (中國國民黨) (KMT) advanced proposals to amend the constitutional Court Procedure Act. The amendments specify that the Court must consist of 15 justices and require a two-thirds majority (10 votes) to issue rulings (The current law only requires a simple majority). Legal critics note that the amendments would make it difficult for justices to rule on cases, undermining the Court’s operations and the public’s right to demand constitutional interpretations. Lawyers have also flagged that the Court would have to cease operation whenever its composition is too small. In November, around 2000 protesters including several hundred lawyers gathered to protest the bills. The Legislative Yuan is set to vote on the changes in the coming months.  

Sources: Taipei Times (1), Taipei Times (2), Focus Taiwan, New Bloom