Taiwan Legislature Proposal to Ease Candidate Disqualification Sparks Outrage
Quick Look
- A legislative proposal by Taiwan's TPP party to amend the "Public Officials Election and Recall Act" to allow candidates with alternative sentencing like fines or community service to run for office has drawn sharp criticism.
- Critics argue it's tailored for Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an's defamation case and undermines Taiwan's democracy by enabling individuals involved in illegal acts to continue participating in politics.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The TPP party is pushing to amend Article 26 of the "Public Officials Election and Recall Act" to allow individuals who have received alternative sentencing, such as fines or community service, to run for public office. This proposal is seen by critics as a move to benefit Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an, who faces a potential disqualification from re-election due to her defamation case.
立法院民眾黨團推動修正「公職人員選舉罷免法」第26條，主張將受「易刑處分」，如易科罰金、服社會勞動也可參選，被質疑是為新竹市長高虹安的誣告案量身打造；公督盟今日痛批，這是把台灣民主整個往後拉，讓涉及不法的行為樣態，都可以解套繼續參選，非常可恥。
立法院內政委員會近日通過「選罷法第26條修正草案」，擬放寬「受緩刑宣告者」可以參選公職；然而，民眾黨團提出的修正版本，修正放寬參選的對象還包含受「易刑處分」者，此範圍在藍綠版本皆未提及。
據了解，民眾黨此修法內容，大大牽動新竹市長選戰，原因在於高虹安誣告案雖然二審改判6個月，因未受緩刑宣告，三審若維持原判，即便法官准許易服勞役，依「選罷法」現行規定，高登記前若未服完勞役時數，將斷了連任之路；而民眾黨團修法版本，等於是替高虹安開綠燈，為其市長連任清除司法路障。
對此，公督盟執行長張宏林受訪表示，政治人物「錢」和「權」應該分開，如果是要為社會大眾服務，投身政治自然對於操守的要求必須更多，不要跟黑金、地方派系有太大勾連。
張宏林批評，針對個別人士的犯罪行為進行修法，要讓她可以繼續參政，這是非常糟糕的事，一定要嚴厲譴責。因為這是把台灣的民主整個往後拉，讓涉及不法的行為樣態，都可以繼續參選，這是非常可恥的事。
張宏林質疑，藍白先前針對小額貪污修法除罪，連民代涉貪助理費也修法除罪，改成「補助費用」範圍，一路在為犯罪者除罪。至於誣告案有罪部分，原本法律就是如此，現在又提案要修法排除，讓特定人士可以持續參選，都是在敗壞政治。如果這種都可以解套，未來政治人物將更肆無忌憚。
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The proposed amendment will face significant opposition and debate in the legislature.
Very likely · Within weeks
The legislative process for this amendment will be closely watched by the public and media.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the proposed amendment pass the legislative vote?
- What are the specific details of the alternative sentencing that would be permitted?
- What is the stance of other political parties on this amendment?
- What are the potential long-term implications for electoral integrity in Taiwan?
