Taiwan election chief challenges Nationality Act use in mainland spouse case
Newly inaugurated Central Election Commission chair Yu Ying-lung broke openly with the Cabinet on his first day in office, calling the government's use of the Nationality Act to bar mainland-born legislator Li Chen-hsiu "far-fetched." Premier Cho Jung-tai and Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang both pushed back, defending the legal basis. The dispute exposes fault lines within the ruling camp ahead of the 2026 elections.
What Happened
- On April 27, Yu Ying-lung took office as CEC chair and immediately called use of the Nationality Act against former TPP legislator Li Chen-hsiu "far-fetched and highly controversial." On April 28, Premier Cho Jung-tai insisted Li violated both the Nationality Act and the Cross-Strait Relations Act, saying inaction would have caused greater problems. Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang reaffirmed her ministry's consistent stance, citing Article 20 of the Nationality Act. KMT legislator Chen Yu-chen praised Yu as a "man of integrity"; DPP legislator Fan Yun accused him of overstepping his role.
Green-Leaning Coverage
- PTS led with Cho Jung-tai's defense, framing the government's approach as legally necessary and politically unavoidable.
- Fan Yun's rebuke of Yu for "overstepping" was prominently included, reinforcing the view that the CEC chair should defer to the Interior Ministry and MAC on legal interpretation.
- The report appended Yu's support for absentee voting, softening his image as a critic of current policy.
Neutral Coverage
- TTV framed the story around the "discord" between Yu, Cho, and Liu, presenting all three positions without editorial weighting.
- Liu Shih-fang's citation of Nationality Act Article 20 and its consistent application to past cases was included, supplying the government's legal rationale.
- No evaluative language was used toward Yu's remarks, leaving the legitimacy question open.
Blue-Leaning Coverage
- Both UDN articles foregrounded Yu's challenge to the Cabinet as a legally grounded and courageous stance.
- Chen Yu-chen's effusive praise — calling Yu the only official "brave enough to state the truth" — anchored the constitutional argument that mainland residents are not treated as foreigners under ROC law.
- The second article reframed DPP criticism as political pressure on an independent agency, implying the ruling party fears scrutiny of its legal reasoning.
Key Terms
- Li Chen-hsiu Case: A dispute over whether former TPP legislator Li Chen-hsiu held PRC nationality while serving in Taiwan's legislature. The government invoked Nationality Act Article 20 and the Cross-Strait Act, making it a landmark test case for mainland-born residents' political rights.
- Absentee Voting (不在籍投票): A system allowing voters to cast ballots outside their registered household precincts. Yu Ying-lung endorsed piloting the mechanism through a single referendum before broader rollout.
Media Coverage
3 sources · 4 articles
Green: 1
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Neutral: 1
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Deep Blue: 2
Deep Blue: 2
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