Turn a Constitutional Crisis into an Opportunity

Lung-chu Chen

Taiwan's Council of Grand Justices the other day issued its Interpretation No. 499, declaring invalid a constitutional amendment that was designed to extend the current term of the deputies of the National Assembly for more than two years beyond the original expiration date, May 20, 2000. The Council did so on the grounds that there were apparent defects both in procedure and substance inherent in the amendment. The reactions to the ruling have been swift and varied.

As a consequence of the ruling, Taiwan is now confronted with two major options: either to hold an immediate election for all deputies of the Assembly on the heels of an extremely exhausting presidential election; or to petition the President to hold a special Assembly session in order to deal with the matter.
Meanwhile, the DPP caucus and the KMT caucus took quick action, reaching a consensus to abolish the National Assembly. The two parties will carry out further negotiations on the date and related provisions, and marshal requisite signatures to petition the President to call a special session of the Assembly.

It has been the consensus of the people of Taiwan to abolish the unpopular National Assembly and to establish a unicameral Congress. To this end, related measures should of course be considered. In fact, the matter of congressional reform has been fairly well studied and considered in recent years. It is a serious matter, which can be effectively tackled with concerted effort.

Where there is a will, there is a way. It is a serious test for all the people of Taiwan whether they can turn a constitutional crisis into an opportunity. It is, above all, a challenge to all the deputies of the Assembly who are officially entrusted with the power and the responsibility to amend he Constitution.
Will they rise to the occasion at this crucial moment in Taiwan's history? Will they, with wisdom and courage, abolish the National Assembly of which they have been a part and accomplish the mission of establishing a healthy unicameral Congress, thereby writing a glorious chapter in Taiwan's constitutional democracy?