Opposition lawmakers recently returned the proposed 2025 central government budget bill to the Cabinet for further review and revisions. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said on Tuesday that while he found the decision regrettable, he believes further communication between the ruling and opposition parties will lead to a smoother review process.
The Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party, which collectively hold over half of the seats in the Legislature, voted to send the 2025 central government budget bills back to the Procedure Committee.
According to the KMT legislative caucus, the budget bills were partly sent back due to underestimated portions. The Agriculture Ministry did not include a budget increase for public food stock purchases as mandated by a resolution this year. The Council of Indigenous Peoples also did not incorporate the amended compensation for the logging ban on land reserved for Indigenous Peoples.
Additionally, the KMT questioned the NT$100 billion (US$3.126 billion) allocated in the 2025 budget to support Taiwan Power Co. for its losses in maintaining government-set electricity rates. They also criticized inflated government spending on advertising and communications.
There have been reports that the premier will host a dinner with ministerial heads and DPP lawmakers to discuss defending the budget. In response, Cho said the Cabinet typically discusses budget matters and legislation with party caucus lawmakers. This is especially true for priority bills and major policies requiring consensus to move forward. Cho said that he has requested the DPP to strengthen coordination with the opposition and added that the Cabinet can provide further explanations as necessary to facilitate a more streamlined review process.