Taiwan opposition rejects review of controversial legislative power bill

TAIPEI -- Taiwan's opposition parties struck a defiant tone and rejected the new government's request to reconsider their plan to vastly increase the legislature's power, paving the way for a battle with the judiciary and a large segment of civil society.

The government under President Lai Ching-te had asked the opposition-led legislature to rethink a controversial bill rushed through soon after he took office last month -- a sweeping law that enables parliament to summon and question officials and individuals, makes confirming public appointments more difficult, and allows lawmakers to directly question the president. The government said the law is "unconstitutional" and "difficult to implement."