TAIPEI: Two Taiwanese lawmakers tried to choke each other during a brawl in the island’s parliament on Thursday as the government of President Tsai Ing-wen pressed ahead with controversial reforms. The opposition Kuomintang party is against the plan, saying it favors cities and counties faithful to Tsai’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and has been devised to secure support for the party ahead of next year’ s regional elections. The review hearing was suspended following the brawl as Kuomintang lawmakers occupied the podium. Violent protests erupted outside the parliament in April when opponents of pension reforms attacked politicians and scuffled with police, prompting Tsai to call for calm and restraint. Parliament was also plunged into chaos late last year when opposing lawmakers brawled in the chamber, as labor activists set off smoke bombs outside in protest at proposed holiday cuts.

Source: Manila Times July 13, 2017 08:26 UTC