TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — DPP legislators physically blocked the third reading of controversial amendments to the electoral and recall law after Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) unexpectedly placed them at the top of the agenda on Friday (Dec. 6).

Han changed the legislative session's agenda just before 11 a.m. to bring forward the final reading of the Public Officials Election and Recall Act, per CNA. Four DPP legislators reacted by rushing Han’s podium to snatch his microphone and were followed by KMT legislators trying to stop them.

The DPP caucus originally sought to discuss legal amendments related to the planned sports ministry and draft amendments to an act relating to transitional justice during the session. The KMT caucus was reportedly unaware of the schedule change before it was announced.

TVBS reported that the clothes of KMT Legislator Chen Yu-jen (陳玉珍) were torn and the hands of the DPP’s Wang Mei-hui (王美惠) were scratched as legislators jostled to control the podium. Han adjourned the session just before noon and exited the chamber as furniture was overturned and shouting legislators broke each others’ placards.

The KMT’s amendments include raising the threshold needed for a successful recall vote against an elected official. The amendments would require more votes in favor of a recall than the relevant candidate received when elected.

The DPP opposes this saying that it would make the recall of elected officials almost impossible. Central Election Commission Chair Li Chin-yung (李進勇) also opposed the amendment on Thursday and said it would create a system not seen elsewhere, per UDN.

KMT legislators have said the changes are needed to prevent social division and resource waste caused by recall campaigns. The amendments were first sent to the legislature for review in July as the KMT Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑) faced a recall vote that ultimately failed to pass.