TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) convened a cross-party negotiation on Wednesday (Jan. 15) afternoon to discuss the 2025 central government budget. Han opened the session by noting 3,296 cases still require negotiation, lightening the mood with humor by saying, "I'm going to lose more hair."
Despite the urgency, the morning's party caucus negotiations, which lasted an hour, failed to resolve any cases. The Legislative Yuan plans to adjourn next Tuesday, prompting a decision to hold additional negotiations this weekend and a plenary session next Monday to tackle these issues.
During the negotiations, a heated exchange erupted between the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) over speaking time. Han interrupted DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), saying, "Chief Convener Ker, I'm sorry, but I can't let you speak anymore." KMT legislator Chen Yu-jen (陳玉珍) criticized Ker for monopolizing the floor for 40 minutes, calling it "disrespectful."
Han emphasized his inability to allow such delays, stating, "I can't let this drag on as chairman; you speak over 30 minutes on each question." Ker retorted, "Do you think I'm an idiot? What kind of chairman are you? I'm talking about national security issues." After tensions eased, Han proposed additional negotiations this weekend, to which Ker later agreed.
As the session concluded, Han suggested signing off on the decision to hold extra negotiations, and Ker signed. The session ended with Ker leaving the room after Han asked him not to press the microphone while speaking.
