Fed up with the paralysis, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) decided they were going to ensure Su could speak on Friday, and formed a protective barrier around him as he made his way in, as KMT lawmakers blew whistles, held banners and sounded air horns.
As Su began speaking, KMT lawmakers threw buckets of pig guts his way, and some exchanged blows, with a short but vicious encounter between a group of KMT legislators and Chen Po-wei from the small Taiwan Statebuilding Party.
Su soon withdrew, but later got back up to try and take questions, his words drowned out by KMT lawmakers.
The DPP condemned the protests, saying in a statement the throwing of the pig guts was a waste of food that “stank up” the parliament floor and was “disgusting”, calling for a return to rational debate.
The KMT says the pork decision has been rushed through and is a health threat, charges the DPP denies.
“In order to protect people’s health and protect the bottom line of food safety, the opposition party cannot but resist,” the KMT said of Friday’s protest.
Taiwan is a rambunctious democracy and fighting is not uncommon in Parliament.
Reuters
