DPP’s attitude hasn’t changed

We were glad to see that the Democratic Progressive Party government was not afraid to face up to the new legislature, in which the opposition Kuomintang and its allies won a three-quarter majority in the Jan. 12 elections.

Rather than come up with excuses not to enter what was surely a lion’s den of critical voices, Premier Chang kept his appointment with the legislature and issued his regular working report.

However, in spite of all the soul-searching DPP leaders claimed to have done in the wake of losing the election, it is clear the DPP government has not changed its attitude when it comes to dealing with the elected legislature.

It appears that Premier Chang, who served several terms as an opposition lawmaker before the DPP came to power in 2000, has completely forgotten the legislature’s proper role: to monitor and criticize the administration.

After an aboriginal lawmaker complained during Friday’s session that the DPP government had let down the country, Premier Chang approached his podium and launched a tirade against the KMT. In his response, Premier Chang said that legislators were abusing their positions by making irresponsible remarks for which they did not have to be responsible.

He said by failing to address substantial issues of government, the critical remarks made by opposition legislators “demonstrate the arrogance of a parliament dominated by a single party.”

We were surprised that Premier Chang was so harsh in his criticism of the opposition, which so far has largely remained mindful of the dominant position it now occupies in the legislature.

Rather than answer the questions raised by opposition lawmakers, Premier Chang claimed they were merely taking advantage of their dominance of the legislative agenda and immunity from prosecution for remarks made on the legislative floor.

In reality, opposition lawmakers have traditionally been sharply critical of the administration — including when the DPP was itself the opposition.

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