Taiwan's premier says opposition's budget cuts would cripple key govt functions

20/1/2025 12:32

Taiwan's premier said on Monday the government faced a crisis in day-to-day operations, including national security, because of large cuts to this year's budget proposed by opposition parties, who have cited a need to cut waste.



Although Lai Ching-te won the presidential election last year, his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its majority in parliament, giving the opposition the most seats and legislative control that includes spending proposals



The main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), together with the small Taiwan People's Party, has proposed a record T$214.7 billion ($6.55 billion) in cuts to the budget, about 7% of the total, saying they are targeting waste.



The opposition has also proposed freezing another T$269.8 billion in spending, a number the cabinet said was 20 times higher than the past average, urging calm and rationality.