Taiwan opposition seeks top court rule change as key decisions loom

TAIPEI -- A proposal by Taiwan's opposition to change the rules governing the top court is raising concerns that the bench may become unable to function, as seven judges are scheduled to step down later this year.

Weng Hsiao-ling, a lawmaker from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), has suggested raising the minimum number of justices on the Constitutional Court required for the body to operate. Her official proposal in parliament criticized the current arrangements as allowing as few as three or four justices on the 15-member court to agree and make a ruling. At an event on Thursday, she said this is "inconsistent with the judicial power in a democratic country."