Steps to dismiss, impeach Taiwan president

October 30, 2000
Web posted at: 8:15 PM HKT (1215 GMT)

TAIPEI, Taiwan (Reuters) -- A constitutional crisis is looming in Taiwan with opposition parties threatening to unite and bring down the government, which has decided to end a controversial US$5.5 billion nuclear plant project.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) argues that Taiwan has never resolved its nuclear waste problem, but the opposition Nationalist, People First and New Parties fear power shortages in the future.

Opposition parties also say the cancellation is illegal because the lawmaking Legislative Yuan had already cleared the nuclear project before the DPP took power in March presidential elections.

The once-dominant Nationalist party holds 115 seats in the 221-seat Legislative Yuan, while the DPP holds 68 seats, the People First Party 17 and the New Party 9 seats. The remaining seats are held by independents.

The following is a brief description of how lawmakers can dismiss or impeach the president or introduce a vote of no confidence against the premier:

Vote of no confidence:

- Requires a motion signed by one-third of Legislative Yuan members, and passage needs support from a simple majority.

- If the no-confidence vote passes, the president must nominate a new premier, who then forms a new cabinet, but the president can also dissolve the lawmaking body and call snap elections.

Dismissal of president:

- Requires a motion from one-fourth of legislators and needs support from two-thirds for passage.

- If the dismissal is approved by lawmakers, a popular referendum is held, which must have turnout equal to at least half of the March 18 presidential election's turnout.

- If over half of the voters approve the dismissal, new elections are held.

Impeachment of president:

- Requires a motion from half the members of the Legislative Yuan and approval from two-thirds.

- If impeachment is approved by parliament, it then moves to the independent body of the National Assembly, which decides on constitutional issues.

- However, Taiwan downsized the National Assembly last year and no decision has been made on the assembly's new powers. Analysts say this uncertainty is likely to prevent opposition parties from choosing impeachment.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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