The Taiwanese government is reportedly struggling to manage routine operations due to the opposition’s proposed budget cuts. On Monday (January 20), Taiwan’s Premier, Chou Jung-tai, warned that passing the new budget proposal would make it difficult to ensure national security, according to a report by British news agency Reuters.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the parliamentary vote on the budget, he stated that the unexpected budget cuts would adversely impact all sectors, including national security and healthcare. Administrative offices would face difficulties in carrying out their activities, making it challenging to handle even routine operations.
Last year, although Lai Ching-te won the presidential election, his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its parliamentary majority. As a result, the opposition now holds control over various governance matters, including budget allocations.
The main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), along with another opposition group, the Taiwan People’s Party, has jointly proposed a reduction of at least seven percent in the initially proposed $6.55 billion budget. They claim this measure aims to curb government wastage.
The KMT has accused the ruling party of defending a budget that includes significant overspending. They argue that the budget cut proposal is still under discussion, but the ruling party is allegedly spreading panic to sway public opinion.