Taipei: The Cabinet is poised to refuse to countersign and promulgate amendments to Taiwan’s revenue-sharing law, marking an unprecedented move according to a report by the Taipei Times on Sunday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the amendments, supported by opposition parties including the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), propose changes to the allocation of tax revenue between central and local governments. After the Legislature approved the amendments in November, the Cabinet requested a reconsideration, citing implementation concerns. This request was denied on December 5, mandating the Cabinet to promulgate the legislation by December 15 under standard procedures. However, the Cabinet argues the amendments would compel the central government to surpass the legal debt ceiling by 2026, rendering them impractical.
Reports from the Chinese-language Liberty Times and its English-language edition, Taipei Times, citing an unnamed source, indicate that the Cabinet has resolved not to countersign or promulgate the amendments. Premier Cho Jung-tai is anticipated to announce this decision in line with the Constitution, with the source emphasizing the Executive Yuan’s duty as a constitutional entity.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus Director-General Chung Chia-pin conveyed to CNA that the decision serves as a safeguard against a potentially unconstitutional law, highlighting the current incapacity of the Constitutional Court to conduct constitutional reviews. Chung noted that if the Legislature opposes the Cabinet’s decision, it may initiate a no-confidence motion, which he asserted would be in accordance with constitutional procedures. He dismissed allegations that the decision was authoritarian in nature.
Opposition lawmakers have expressed strong criticism of the Cabinet’s plan. TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang stated at a press conference that refusing to countersign a law passed by the Legislature would lead to a “constitutional disaster.” He argued that the countersignature system was created to balance presidential power when legislative approval was necessary for the premier. In the current system, where the president appoints the premier, Huang contends that refusing to countersign legislation undermines democratic principles.
KMT caucus Deputy Secretary-General Lin Pei-hsiang echoed these sentiments, describing the move as a “distortion of the Constitution” and “a slap in the face” to the president. Lin urged the Cabinet to encourage President Lai Ching-te, who also chairs the DPP, to engage in dialogue with opposition leaders to resolve differences and refocus on governance, public welfare, and international relations.