Control Yuan president nominee Chen Yung-hsing on Sept. 23 urged Taiwan's lawmakers to exercise their consent power rationally ahead of the Legislative Yuan's Sept. 29 confirmation vote on Control Yuan nominees. The recorded ballot, which CNA reported covers 27 nominees for the body's president, vice president and members, is set for 10 a.m. on the day the new legislative session opens.
What is Chen arguing? Chen said that if the legislature cited abolition of the Control Yuan as its reason but could not actually amend the constitution, the body would be left idle and people's rights unprotected, CNA reported. With the body idle, he said, the corruption and asset declarations of officials, elected representatives and parties would go unmonitored. Abolition was not out of the question, Chen said, but lawmakers should first lower the amendment threshold from three-quarters of the legislature to half, and that the referendum threshold should fall from a majority of all eligible voters to half of votes cast.
What did he say about Lai? Chen said he had told President 
Lai Ching-te in person that amending the constitution was a viable path and that Lai should convene a national affairs conference rather than leave the issue to endless argument in the legislature, PTS reported. "He said he could accept it; he agreed," Chen said.
Where do the parties stand? Democratic Progressive Party caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung said that "judging by the mood this time, they will all be voted down," but that effectively abolishing the Control Yuan through the budget was unreasonable, CNA reported. Abolition requires a constitutional amendment and a referendum, Chuang said, and his caucus has tabled its own amendment to abolish the body. Kuomintang legislator Niu Hsu-ting, quoted by PTS, said Control Yuan seats had fallen vacant before while state affairs appeared to run normally.
Why are official cars in dispute? The Control Yuan, which PTS reported currently has no members, has drawn questions over a budget for new official cars and over a phone inquiry into an exchange-student incident involving the eldest son of Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an. Kuomintang legislators said the NT$5.5 million earmarked to replace three cars with electric vehicles should be cut or frozen; the Control Yuan said 11 of its cars reach their 15-year legal limit in May 2027. Chen said cars due for replacement should be replaced, but called the inquiry into Chiang's son unnecessary, saying "now is not the time for this kind of work."
Figures referenced: Lai Ching-te. — JudgeMarket.
