TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's 2026 central government budget remains stalled in the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, with NT$2.992 trillion (around US$95.6 billion) in projects frozen, according to the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS, 主計總處), under the Executive Yuan, Taiwan's cabinet. The frozen funds include NT$1.017 trillion (around US$32.5 billion) for emerging projects that cannot proceed and NT$1.805 trillion (around US$57.7 billion) for recurring and ongoing projects. The budget impasse threatens national security and local development programs across the island.
DGBAS Minister Chen Shu-Tzu (陳淑姿), Finance Minister Chuang Tsui-Yun (莊翠雲), and representatives from the Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) and Ocean Affairs Council (OAC, 海委會) reported to the legislature on the budget's impact. Chen's report confirmed NT$2.992 trillion (around US$95.6 billion) remains frozen, affecting both new initiatives and ongoing government operations. The officials outlined how the budget delay threatens national security programs and local government development projects across Taiwan's cities and counties.
The budget delay particularly impacts the military's NT$725 billion (around US$23.2 billion) in recurring expenses, affecting troop readiness, training, reserve force enhancement, and military medical investment plans. The OAC faces barriers to maritime patrol capabilities, facility reconstruction, and updates to 3G and 4G IMSI-catcher equipment, with NT$240 million (around US$7.7 million) in recurring expenses affecting maritime patrol safety. Local government projects totaling NT$637 billion (around US$20.4 billion) also cannot proceed, compounding the nationwide impact of the legislative impasse. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.3)