TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) legislator on Friday (Jan. 24) criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) for its alleged ineffective governance. The criticism emerged as the Legislative Yuan (立法院) passed the central budget bill, with Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) accusing opposition parties of driving the nation to a deadlock by freezing 50% of local subsidies.
KMT Legislator Lee Yen-hsiu (李彥秀) noted a record increase in the central government's budget this year, surpassing last year's by over NT$73 billion and reaching nearly NT$3 trillion. Lee questioned President Lai's inability to distribute Lunar New Year bonuses and criticized Premier Cho for using sign language interpreters as an excuse. Meanwhile, Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) Legislator Chang Chi-kai (張啓楷) accused the Executive Yuan (行政院) of hoarding wealth while claiming poverty, as the Presidential Office revealed misuse of taxpayer funds.
Chang emphasized that the Lai administration has become the world's only "impoverished government with NT$2.9 trillion," questioning its financial management. He further scrutinized the DPP's allocation of funds, highlighting a NT$770 million bonus project for the Presidential Office and NT$510 million for the Executive Yuan's contract staff. Chang criticized the government's spending on specific media and online influencers, failing to pay sign language interpreters and support deaf people.