A heated argument about reforms to the chamber erupted on Friday, May 17, in parliament, as Taiwanese politicians pushed, attacked, and slapped each other. This happened only days before President-elect Lai Ching-te took office without a parliamentary majority. There have been claims that several members shoved and yelled at one another outside the parliamentary chamber before the activity went onto the parliament floor, even before votes were cast.

After being broken up, the battle resumed in the afternoon. Despite winning the January election, Lai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its majority in parliament. Lai is set to take office on Monday.

Reports state that lawmakers from all three parties participated in the altercation and exchanged allegations over who was at fault. Taiwanese politicians have engaged in combat before. A debate over easing U.S. pork imports led to KMT members tossing pig intestines onto the house floor in 2020.