TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislators in Taiwan are gearing up for a marathon negotiation session on the central government's 2025 budget, beginning Wednesday (Jan. 15). The Legislative Yuan's session is ending soon, prompting the opposition Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨), and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) to submit their budget amendment proposals.
The KMT has proposed around 2,400 amendments, the TPP about 600, and the DPP only 10, setting the stage for a contentious budget battle. This budget negotiation marks a critical juncture for Taiwan's political parties as they navigate the complexities of fiscal planning under tight deadlines.
KMT legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) emphasized the party's focus on significant issues, particularly government media promotion expenses, which they allege favor certain green media outlets. Meanwhile, DPP legislator Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) attributed the compressed budget schedule to the KMT's previous delays.
Due to time constraints, the DPP has instructed its members to avoid proposing new budget cuts or freezes unless necessary, opting instead for non-binding resolutions to facilitate smoother negotiations. Legislative offices have been inundated with calls from government agencies seeking face-to-face discussions, but many KMT legislators have requested written explanations instead, citing the urgency of the situation.
