TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) still hopes for continued dialogue and mediation over three bills that were passed expanding legislative power, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) said on Tuesday (May 28).

The Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) on Tuesday voted to grant investigative powers to the legislature that allows it to summon individuals and organizations to present requested information and impose fines up to NT$200,000 (US$6,198) or up to one year of jail time for public officials who lie during a legislative hearing.

The president is also required to deliver an annual State of the Nation address and respond to questions from legislators.

The president is optimistic that the Cabinet’s proposal for another legislative review and the Democratic Progressive Party’s call for a constitutional interpretation will address concerns over the bills, Kuo said. The Presidential Office will handle the issue according to the law upon receiving official communication from the Legislative Yuan and the Cabinet, she added.

Kuo emphasized that the parliament symbolizes democracy and should stand with the people to safeguard democratic values. Moreover, the president is responsible for democratic constitutional governance.

Before the bills were passed, multiple protests were organized in front of the Legislative Yuan, condemning the increase in investigative powers and the KMT’s decision to skip the review and consultation stages of the legislative process.