Taiwan's Budget Review Stalled by Opposition, 19 Agencies Await Approval

Taiwan's legislative budget review for the current year is facing significant delays, with 289 days having passed since the budget was due. Six legislative committees and 19 government agencies are still awaiting budget approval, with all of them falling under the responsibility of conveners from the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP).

According to the Budget Act, the total budget should be approved by the Legislative Yuan one month before the fiscal year begins. This year's budget was only referred to committees on April 21, and while an initial plan aimed for public sector budget review by May 14, progress has stalled in several committees. Notably, all budget items handled by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) conveners have reportedly been completed.

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Opposition legislators claim to care about people's livelihood, yet they keep delaying the total budget. Taiwan's future cannot withstand such malicious idling.

Specific agencies awaiting review include those overseen by KMT conveners such as the National Development Council, National Science and Technology Council, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Health and Welfare, and others. TPP conveners are also responsible for reviewing budgets for agencies like the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

DPP lawmakers have criticized the opposition parties, accusing them of intentionally delaying the budget process despite claims of prioritizing public welfare. They warn that continued delays could lead to a chaotic situation where lawmakers have to review two years' worth of budgets simultaneously, as the executive branch prepares to draft next year's budget, expected to be finalized by late August.

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If the opposition parties continue to delay, it will inevitably lead to the absurdity of reviewing two years' worth of budgets simultaneously.