The budget cuts being proposed by the opposition would destabilize the country, slow down development and create weaknesses that Taiwan’s enemies could exploit, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) told a press conference today.
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) have proposed that significant reductions and freezes be made to the central government’s budget, with a total of over 3,000 proposals being put forward.
There are five main areas where the proposed cuts would impact the country — national competitiveness, undermining defense capabilities, slowing technological advancement, reducing public services and diminishing the government’s ability to communicate to the public, Cho said.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Current economic development projects like providing support for small businesses, subsidizing new long-term care options for the elderly and promoting youth employment opportunities would no longer be possible, he added.
The budget proposals would directly impact progress in carbon neutrality goals, academic research, human rights protections and other programs, he said.
When asked whether the Executive Yuan would propose a review of the budget, Cho said that while it is the Executive Yuan’s right to do so, it would depend on the Legislative Yuan’s actions.
To propose a review, the Executive Yuan would need approval from President William Lai (賴清德), who has his own perspective on how to act in the country’s best interest, Cho added.
Cho called on lawmakers to exercise their budget oversight power cautiously, rather than engage in retaliatory cuts driven by personal grievances.
The KMT said it has every right to monitor the government budget and safeguard taxpayers’ money, adding that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party should try to convince the public by providing good reasons to support their spending plans.
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