The motion, proposed by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), was fast-tracked to the second reading and cross-party negotiations on Jan. 16, bypassing committee review. The opposition parties convened cross-party negotiations on Jan. 22, but failed to reach a consensus with the executive branch and ruling party lawmakers. Executive Yuan spokeswoman Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said there is no precedent for splitting the general budget. The budget bill should undergo three readings, according to Article 7 of the Act Governing the Legislative Yuan’s Power (立法院職權行使法), she said, calling the passage of the second reading of the motion unprecedented. Citing the urgency of the new projects, she urged legislative caucuses across party lines to begin substantive review of the general budget as soon as possible and complete the required legal procedures.

Source: Taipei Times March 06, 2026 17:13 UTC