Is the Legislature Being Trampled by the Executive Yuan? Chen Hui-wen Slams Han Kuo-yu: 'What Kind of Legislative Speaker Are You?' Passing the Budget Won't Earn DPP's Gratitude

Recent negotiations over the national budget at Taiwan's Legislative Yuan have reignited internal tensions within the Kuomintang (KMT). Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu publicly expressed anger toward KMT caucus leader Fu Kun-chi for repeatedly skipping cross-party negotiations, leading outside observers to interpret the incident as a sign of escalating internal conflict within the KMT.

However, veteran media commentator Chen Hui-wen offered a different perspective on his show 'News in Plain Language.' He argued that the rift between Han and Fu is not genuine, and that the entire confrontation appears to be a political performance. 'It's staged for public consumption,' he claimed, emphasizing that the real issue lies in Han Kuo-yu's overall attitude toward the long-standing conflict between the Executive Yuan and the Legislative Yuan.

Was Han Kuo-yu really angry? Chen Hui-wen expressed skepticism. He questioned why Han remained silent during Fu Kun-chi's first four absences from negotiations but suddenly erupted in anger this time. 'You didn't say anything the first, second, third, or fourth time—he only spoke up yesterday. This is fake,' Chen stated bluntly.

Chen also noted that Fu Kun-chi did not immediately hold a press conference to counterattack Han. Instead, Fu responded with a conciliatory tone, emphasizing 'family harmony brings prosperity to all.' Chen argued that if the two had truly fallen out, their reactions would not have been so restrained. 'One hand cannot clap,' he said, suggesting both sides left room for reconciliation. Therefore, he concluded: 'Why would you think Speaker Han is genuinely angry? Don't overthink it—it's all for show.'

Chen expressed strong disapproval of Han Kuo-yu's urgency in pushing the budget through. He pointed out that several bills passed by the KMT-TPP coalition in the legislature have been ignored—neither signed nor implemented—by the Executive Yuan, indicating a long-standing erosion of legislative authority.

'You're a KMT proportional-representation legislator and the Speaker of the Legislative Yuan,' Chen said directly to Han. 'When the legislature is being trampled by the Executive Yuan, what do you say? You just want the budget passed?' He questioned whether the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) would change its stance toward the KMT-TPP alliance even if the budget passes. 'Do you think the DPP will forgive you? Don't you know the DPP at all?'

Han previously proposed that both ruling and opposition parties 'take a step back' to resume normal legislative operations. Chen challenged this, asking what exactly the DPP and Executive Yuan have given up. He criticized the fact that laws passed by the legislature are being ignored by the executive branch, undermining legislative authority. The Speaker, he argued, should not focus solely on expediting the budget.

Chen went further, asking rhetorically: 'Then what's the point of being Legislative Speaker at all?' If laws passed by the legislature are disregarded by the executive, 'why not just shut down the Legislative Yuan? What's the point of reviewing the budget?'

Chen also sharply criticized the delay in budget deliberations, which only began accelerating in August. 'More than half the year has already passed, and the country hasn't collapsed even without a fully passed budget,' he said. The real question, he insisted, is what both sides have been doing for the past eight months.

If the KMT-TPP coalition had decided to fully confront the DPP, Chen argued, they should have followed through. Instead, after months of strong resistance, they suddenly pushed for a quick budget passage. 'You delayed until August and now you want to vote on the budget? Then I ask you—what were you doing for the past eight months? If you're going to fight the DPP, fight to the end. Don't halfway through say, 'We passed it.''

In conclusion, Chen emphasized that even if the KMT-TPP coalition eventually passes the budget, 'the DPP will not thank you.' What truly needs explanation is what political goals the legislature has pursued over the past six months.