Total Budget Cut by NT$48 Billion, Reduction of 1.689% — Fu Kuo-tsai Says 'I've Done My Utmost': Lai Qingde Should Cherish Han Kuo-yu's Goodwill

The Legislative Yuan passed the 2026 central government budget on Thursday (14th), ultimately reducing it by approximately NT$48 billion, a reduction rate of 1.689%. Fu Kuo-tsai, convener of the KMT legislative caucus, stated that the opposition parties have shown maximum goodwill toward the Executive Yuan and called on President Lai Qingde and Premier Cho Jung-tai to respect the legislature by legally countersigning, promulgating, and executing the bills passed in the third reading.

Fu posted on Facebook that the original budget proposal included over 1,700 items, which were narrowed down to about 40 to 50 cases after negotiations between ruling and opposition parties. He claimed to have "done his utmost" for the budget, aiming to ensure the nation continues to progress and people can live better lives.

Fu pointed out that four months ago, the Executive Yuan promised to submit amendments related to military personnel benefits, police staffing, and civil servant protections. The Legislative Yuan proceeded with budget reviews based on those negotiation outcomes. However, this week, the Executive Yuan announced that the relevant funds would still not be included in next year’s budget, leading Fu to accuse the Executive Yuan of breaking its promise and undermining the trust built through Speaker Han Kuo-yu’s mediation efforts.

He emphasized that this legislative session, driven by the KMT caucus and other opposition parties, has already passed bills to increase pension replacement rates for retired police and firefighters, raise military salaries, and halt pension cuts. Yet the Executive Yuan has still not implemented them. Fu argued this is not merely an issue of待遇 but also affects whether the nation can retain talent and whether future generations will be willing to serve in the military, police, or public service.

Regarding the recently passed 'Taiwan Children and Youth Growth and Future Account Act,' Fu expressed concern over reports that Premier Cho Jung-tai might refuse to countersign it. He questioned, 'How important is our children’s future? The Executive Yuan is not an emperor above all. How can we treat promises to the next generation so lightly?'

Fu stressed that the opposition reduced the total budget by only 1.689%, allowing the vast majority of the budget to pass, precisely to maintain normal national operations. He urged, 'The Executive Yuan must stop hollowing out, undermining, and bullying the Legislative Yuan. Bills passed in the third reading must be countersigned, announced, and implemented promptly!'

Additionally, on the same day, the Legislative Yuan passed three referendum proposals: 'Dedicated Use of Traffic Fines,' 'Incorporation of Caning into Law,' and 'Abolition of the Nuclear-Free Homeland Policy.' Fu stated that major policies should be decided by the people and that grassroots public opinion must not be ignored.

In conclusion, Fu declared, 'Grassroots public opinion must not be trampled upon, the dignity of the legislature must not be hollowed out, and national promises must not be broken.' He called on President Lai Qingde to cherish the goodwill shown by Speaker Han Kuo-yu during cross-party negotiations and urged the Executive Yuan to faithfully implement all民生-related bills passed by the Legislative Yuan.