Lai Ching-te Skips Second Impeachment Hearing

2026-05-15

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Lai Ching-te Skips Second Impeachment Hearing — Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall roof detail with KMT Kuomintang symbol Source · Image rights

The Legislative Yuan held its second presidential impeachment review session on May 13. President Lai Ching-te and all DPP lawmakers boycotted, and the Presidential Office ignored the legislature's official summons. The KMT has scheduled an impeachment vote for May 19 and issued a top-level mobilization order a month early.

What Happened

The Legislative Yuan held its second impeachment review of President Lai Ching-te on May 13
Lai skipped for the second consecutive time; DPP lawmakers also declined to speak
KMT and TPP lawmakers criticized Lai's "three refusals"
KMT announced an impeachment vote for May 19; Fu Kun-chi issued a top-level mobilization order a month early

Green-Leaning Coverage

Pro-green media argues Lai's absence has constitutional basis, citing the Presidential Office's position from the first review
Critics frame the impeachment as political warfare, accusing KMT of prioritizing the fight over defense procurement and the general budget
Coverage highlights that KMT launched its mobilization order immediately after the Cheng-Xi meeting, implying a link between Beijing's directives and opposition action

Neutral Coverage

Neutral outlets did not directly cover the impeachment hearing

Blue-Leaning Coverage

Pro-blue media described the Presidential Office as "leaving on read" on the legislature's official summons, highlighting procedural misconduct
Reported DPP caucus dismissing the impeachment as "child's play", framing the green camp's refusal to engage
Focused on Lai's "three refusals", reinforcing a unconstitutional misconduct narrative

Key Terms

Top-level mobilization order: The highest caucus directive requiring all party lawmakers to attend a specific vote. The KMT issuing it a full month early is highly unusual.
"Three refusals": A KMT/TPP label for Lai's governing style — won't disclose, won't countersign, won't implement legislation passed by the legislature.