The Legislative Yuan has decided to extend its time of review to last until Jan. 19, as lawmkers split regarding the general and special budget for 2023.
The Executive Yuan has submitted a cash distribution of NT$6,000 to the public as part of the special budget to the legislature on Jan. 12 for approval. However, lawmakers are still split on the central government's proposed general budget for this year and the legislature's regular session ended the next day on the 13th. KMT lawmakers asked for provisional sessions the following week for decision-making and strongly suggested reviewing the special budget first before dealing with the general budget.
William Tseng, KMT Legislative Caucus Whip: “The party reached a consensus to review the special budget first so that the government can issue the cash payment to the public as quickly as possible.”
Ker Chien-ming, DPP Legislative Caucus Whip: “He (William Tseng) is being politically manipulative. He sees that the DPP is dealing with a Cabinet reshuffle, so now he wants to find opportunities to delay the review of the general budget. It's an open secret, everybody can see through it.”
DPP Legislative Caucus Whip Ker Chien-ming said he would not give up on negotiating for reviewing the general budget plan first. However, both KMT and TPP said that the special budget is not just about cash distribution, it also includes subsidizing electricity prices and the health and labor systems. Both parties said they would definitely carefully deliberate over the special budget.
Chiu Chen-Yuan, TPP Legislative Caucus Whip: “There are still many questions about other categories of the special budget. We need to be strict and not make rash, last-minute decisions.”
All parties have agreed on a provisional session on Jan. 19, which will affect the timing of the Cabinet reshuffle. President Tsai said earlier that the reshuffle will happen after the legislative sessions are over. It has been said that former vice president Chen Chien-jen will be the one to take over as Premier. Everyone awaits for the government's next move.
行政院昨天通過攸關普發6千元的特別條例、送進立法院，但13日是立法院延會最後一天，加上總預算協商結論、在野黨團都還沒有簽，國民黨團主張支持再延會、但強烈要求先審特別條例、再處理總預算。
立法院國民黨團總召曾銘宗表示：「黨團一致決議通過，先審這個條例，先審特別預算這個條例，趕快通過之後，趕快發現金。」
柯建銘強調不會放棄協商、還是希望能先完成總預算案。但國民黨跟民眾黨都認為，特別條例並非只有提出普發現金案，而是採取包裹立法，包括電價和勞健保補貼等內容，喊出絕對會嚴審。」
立法院民眾黨團總召邱臣遠也指出：「特別條例的部分，因為還有非常多的這個疑點，跟受國人質疑的部分，所以我們認為這個部分要嚴審，不應該在最後壓線的時候，倉促地來去做通過。」
立法院是否再延會，還有待朝野協商，但延會還牽動內閣改組時間點，先前蔡總統定調立院休會後調整內閣，現在還傳出前副總統陳建仁已點頭，銜命組閣，就等立法院會期告一段落，府院重新整隊。
