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LequteMan
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The disciplinary panel of Taiwan's ruling party has suspended 72-year-old speaker of the legislature, Wang Jin-Pyng Wednesday in a move that could fracture the party and threaten its efforts to develop closer ties with China.
Wang was suspended for allegedly pressuring prosecutors not to appeal the acquittal of an opposition lawmaker
It all began on Friday, when the Special Investigation Division of the Prosecutor's Office announced it had evidence that Wang and former Justice Minister Tseng Yung-fu had colluded to pressure prosecutors not to appeal the acquittal of opposition lawmaker Ker Chien-ming, on breach of trust charges. Tseng resigned later that day under heavy pressure from President Ma Ying-Jeou, but insists he did nothing wrong.
Wang argued that he did nothing improper. He has held the legislative speakership, one of Taiwan's most powerful positions, since 1999.
The suspension removes him from the party for a year, after which he can apply for reinstatement.
Although Wang and President Ma both belong to the Nationalist Party, they have been bitter rivals since 2008, when they competed for the Nationalist presidential nomination.
President Ma had pressed hard for Wang’s suspension, calling his alleged action "the most serious infringement in the history of Taiwan's judiciary."
In doing so he drew criticism not only from the opposition, but also from many Nationalists who see his pursuit of Wang as a personal vendetta.
The fast-moving political drama could threaten the unity of the party, which under Ma has lowered tensions between Taiwan and China to their lowest level since the two sides split amid civil war 64 years ago.
A Nationalist split would improve the prospects of the China-wary opposition in the 2016 elections.
Taiwan's often fractious legislature can be expected to become grumpier with Wang’s suspension, largely because of his strong channels of communication with the opposition.
