Green: Total Budget Review Exceeds 319 Days, Blue-White Coalition May Set Record of Reviewing Two Fiscal Years Simultaneously

(Taipei, 13th—Reporter Yeh Su-ping) DPP spokesperson Lee Kun-cheng stated today that the Blue-White coalition has maliciously delayed budget reviews and unreasonably frozen or cut budget allocations, resulting in the current fiscal year's total budget remaining unreviewed for over 319 days—setting a new record for legislative delay. As next year's budget is scheduled to be submitted to the Legislative Yuan by the end of August, the ongoing political infighting threatens to create the unprecedented and unacceptable scenario of two consecutive fiscal budgets being reviewed simultaneously.

In a press release, Lee Kun-cheng emphasized that the Executive Yuan submitted the current fiscal year's budget proposal to the Legislative Yuan as early as August 29 of last year. However, the Blue and White parties have continuously obstructed the review process, leaving it incomplete for over 319 days—the most embarrassing chapter in legislative history. Out of the eight standing committees, only the Finance and Judiciary Committees have completed their reviews, while a staggering six committees remain unfinished. Blue-White legislators, who collect salaries funded by taxpayers, have forced through the longest-ever legislative extension yet fail to conduct substantive reviews, leaving social welfare and public livelihood funds vulnerable to political casualties.

Lee pointed out that the Blue-White coalition has not only delayed the review but also maliciously slashed and frozen budgets across multiple ministries. Kuomintang legislator Weng Hsiao-ling proposed drastic cuts to the Ministry of Culture’s media publicity budget and used a copy-and-paste method to heavily reduce budgets for as many as 13 ministries, even cutting some to zero. She has also declared intentions to make further cuts during the second round of reviews. Such a crude approach to budget deliberation is not rational oversight but rather arrogant and brutal political confrontation.

Lee warned that with the current year’s budget still unapproved, next year’s budget will be submitted by late August under budget law, raising the alarming possibility of both fiscal years being reviewed at the same time. Blue-White legislators, driven solely by political conflict, are willing to paralyze normal state operations and sacrifice public welfare, repeatedly setting unacceptable and disgraceful records. (Editor: Su Chih-tsung) 1150713

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