Han Kuo-yu's National Day Address Sparks Clash Between Ruling and Opposition Parties

Oct 10, 2026

Taiwan's National Day turned into a political flashpoint, with the ruling and opposition parties reading the same speech in opposite ways.

  • Legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu used his National Day address to call on President Lai Ching-te to end the standoff between the government and parliament.
  • Han's three wishes — a safe Taiwan, prosperous people, and lasting democracy — drew agreement, but his warning against "fake democracy, real dictatorship" split the room.
  • The KMT backed him, pointing to the cabinet repeatedly refusing to countersign laws passed by the legislature as a constitutional crisis.
  • The TPP also praised the speech, saying real democracy means those in power accept oversight.
  • The DPP hit back, saying a national celebration should unite people, not become a political attack, and that the speaker should build bridges instead of fuelling the fight.

Outlook: The fight over whether parliament's laws must be signed into force is set to keep paralysing Taiwan's government and opposition in the months ahead.

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