Lawmakers in Taiwan kicked off another round of debate over a controversial bill that critics says is aimed at reining in new President Lai Ching-te, a move likely to bring thousands of protesters onto the streets once again.

Legislators started discussing the proposed bill on Wednesday morning. Underscoring how contentious it is, lawmakers resorted to shouting at each occasionally other during the proceedings.

Protest organisers set up a stage outside the legislature, and were urging people to start showing up to demonstrate against the bill. They were also calling on students on summer break to attend.     

The bill would expand the power of lawmakers to investigate government projects and policies, potentially undermining Lai’s leadership in the island at the heart of China-US tensions. A poll by Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation released on Tuesday showed Lai with an approval rating of 48%, down 10 percentage points from May.

Supporters of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party protested outside the legislature last month in some of the largest demonstrations in Taiwan in decades. They say the bill could be used to undermine Lai’s government by bogging it down in probes. 

The opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People’s Party, which won a legislative majority in the January election that brought Lai to power, contend the bill would bring needed overdue changes to their branch of government.

The legislation would tighten lawmakers’ oversight of Lai’s government by strengthening their power to summon people from a range of backgrounds, including the president, to answer their questions. Individuals could be subject to fines and criminal punishment if they are found in contempt of the legislature.

The opposition parties have already approved the bill, but Lai sent it back to them for a review, a manoeuvre he can use only once. After this round of debate, lawmakers are expected to vote on - and quickly approve - the bill on Friday.

Markets have largely shrugged off the controversy over the bill and the protests. The benchmark Taiex stock gauge rose 1.4% on Wednesday, extending a record high backed by the artificial intelligence boom. The Taiwan dollar was steady at 32.39 versus the greenback.

  - Bloomberg