Taiwan's Budget Passes After 351 Days; Executive Branch Cites 7 "Irrational" Decisions Impacting Operations

Taiwan's central government budget has finally been approved by the legislature, but not without significant controversy. The executive branch on August 14th criticized the legislature's decisions, calling seven specific resolutions "irrational" and warning they could severely impact government operations. The budget's passage came 351 days after it was first submitted.

“

In the face of budget cuts, the NCC's basic administrative work from August to December, amounting to NT$57.823 million, was completely deleted.

The executive branch highlighted several key areas of concern. Funding for the independent National Communications Commission (NCC) was entirely cut for essential administrative work from August to December, raising questions about whether the legislature is using budget power to paralyze constitutional bodies. Policy promotion funds for the executive branch and various ministries were slashed by nearly 50%, with specific allocations for the executive branch and the Ministry of Culture eliminated entirely. Even the salaries for grassroots contract workers in the Government Information Office's news and communication department were cut, jeopardizing their employment and ongoing projects.

“

The executive branch and various ministries' policy promotion expenses, originally budgeted at NT$1.379 billion, were drastically reduced by NT$684 million, a cut of nearly 50%.

Further cuts targeted the president's discretionary funds, leaving less than a third of the budget available for use, which the executive branch stated would cripple essential functions like public outreach and military visits. Basic resources for the executive branch's disaster assessment missions were also eliminated, despite the ongoing need for such preparedness. Additionally, the budget for the Executive Yuan's human rights and transitional justice office was completely removed, and the budget for the Ill-gotten Party Assets Committee was halved, with travel and other expenses also eliminated.

“

The president's discretionary funds were cut and frozen, leaving less than one-third of the annual budget, rendering it effectively unusable.

Government spokesperson Li Hui-chih emphasized that these cuts go beyond mere financial reductions. She argued they question the government's ability to operate normally, respond to societal needs, and fulfill the duties of constitutional bodies. With less than a third of the year remaining, the immediate impact of these funding eliminations and freezes is a major concern. While acknowledging the legislature's oversight role, the executive branch stressed that budget reviews must prioritize the nation's normal functioning, public welfare, and citizens' rights.

“

The budget cuts are no longer just about 'how much money is cut,' but about whether the government can maintain basic operations, respond to social needs in a timely manner, and whether various constitutional bodies can fulfill their responsibilities according to law.