Opposition lawmakers returned annual budget bills to the Procedure Committee today, causing shouting matches in the legislature on the first day of its new session.
The motion proposed by independent Legislator May Chin (高金素梅) was protested by the Democratic Progressive Party caucus, but the opposition parties voting together overruled its 46 votes with their 59.
The central government annual budget for fiscal 2025 has now been sent back to the Procedure Committee, as well as the budget for the fifth phase of the government’s Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
The Procedure Committee organizes bills and determines which ones are to be discussed and when.
After the vote was called and finalized, legislators on both sides shouted across the chamber at each other, the opposition representatives taking particular issue with omissions they viewed as unfair to indigenous people and farmers.
The legislature’s Conference Department said it would set a session for the premier, finance minister and other government officials to report to the legislature on the budgets.
All parties have cited passing annual budgetary items as a priority for the new legislative session, which are typically handled at this time.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said he deeply regrets the lawmakers’ decision, but believes they would understand the budgeting plan with proper explanations.
Additional reporting by Chen Cheng-yu
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