Lai calls budget review "absurd"; Huang accuses president of acting like emperor

President Lai Ching-te on Sunday expressed frustration with the legislative process, stating that the legislature is still reviewing this year's central and special budgets and may even review next year's budget simultaneously. Lai called this a potential "most absurd situation" since the enactment of the Republic of China constitution.

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I don't know how the legislature will review the budget in the future?

Speaking at the "Taiwan Excellent Drone Overseas Business Alliance Conference" in Taichung, Lai noted that the drone industry's special budget might not pass. He questioned how the legislature would handle the budgets and urged cross-party cooperation to pass them promptly, emphasizing that national interests should not be sacrificed for political competition.

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You are simply acting like an emperor!

In response, Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang criticized Lai during a radio interview on Monday. Huang accused Lai of selectively choosing not to announce or implement laws passed by the legislature, labeling him an "emperor." Huang argued that a president's ability to disregard laws based on personal preference undermines democratic constitutional foundations.

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The most absurd situation in the history of the Republic of China's constitution.

Huang further alleged that the Lai administration has failed to allocate budgets for laws passed by the legislature, citing military pay raises and increased compensation rates for police and firefighters. He claimed that the budget submitted to the legislature was illegally compiled, attributing the delay in the general budget review to Lai himself. Huang asserted that the legislature faces challenges in overseeing these "unconstitutional and abusive" actions.

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This is the most absurd in the history of the Republic of China's constitution.