The Legislature on Wednesday submitted this year’s central government general budget proposal and the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures to the Executive Yuan. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) stated during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday that this was the first time the Executive Yuan has received a general budget proposal without a clearly stated total amount of reductions. He expressed serious doubts about whether the report complies with the Budget Act and the Constitution.
Cho thanked Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) for convening cross-party negotiations, noting that although they were unsuccessful, the public had witnessed the efforts. Moving forward, the Executive Yuan will take responsibility for addressing the budget and exploring legal and constitutional remedies. He also urged government agencies to prepare comprehensive documentation to clearly explain any implementation challenges to lawmakers and take necessary corrective budgetary measures as swiftly as possible.
Cho further pointed out that submitting the general budget proposal alongside the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures could lead to disputes over their respective effective dates. He also criticized the act for significantly altering the fiscal structure between central and local governments without a corresponding review of jurisdictional responsibilities, potentially hindering or disrupting central government policies. He reiterated that the Executive Yuan will explore legal remedies in response to the budget situation.