Legislative session start date in limbo after talks fail

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) on Wednesday (Sept. 18) led cross-party negotiations to discuss the opening date of the 11th Legislative Yuan's second session but failed to reach a consensus. All parties supported a Sept. 20 start, but disagreements arose regarding specific agenda items proposed by different caucuses.

Lin Szu-ming (林思銘), secretary-general of the opposition The Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) caucus, advocated for a Sept. 20 opening and invited the premier and ministry heads to present policy guidelines and reports. Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Caucus Whip Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) agreed on the date but requested a special report on renewable portfolio standards and electricity pricing policies on Sept. 23.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) Central Standing Committee member Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) also supported the Sept. 20 opening and suggested inviting the premier for policy reports. Wu proposed Sept. 27 for a budget inquiry session.

Han Kuo-yu announced that due to the lack of consensus, another discussion will take place tomorrow.