Taipei: Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) on Thursday urged President Lai Ching-te and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to show respect for legislative oversight, responding to Lai's call for cross-party cooperation in the new year. In his New Year address, Lai emphasized the need to overcome the political gridlock that characterized 2025, during which the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan obstructed several government-proposed bills. Lai highlighted the importance of advancing projects crucial for the nation's endurance and development, vowing to foster cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties.
According to Focus Taiwan, KMT spokeswoman Chiang I-chen criticized Lai's speech, stating that it "failed to address any of the opposition party's demands" and accused him of resorting to "emotional blackmail." Chiang pointed out that while Lai enumerated achievements from the past year, he neglected pressing public concerns such as high housing prices, low wages, public safety, and energy stability. She emphasized that despite Lai's repeated calls for national unity and cooperation, he should first respect legislative oversight and not dismiss differing opinions as mere "boycotts or confrontations."
Chiang further noted the importance of national defense but stressed that social welfare funding is equally crucial, insisting that every budget proposal undergo thorough scrutiny. A significant source of the ongoing stalemate is the differing views between the ruling and opposition parties on a proposed bill authorizing a special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.8 billion). The opposition has requested that Lai address the Legislature with details of the proposal. Lai has expressed willingness to deliver a state-of-the-nation address to lawmakers but refuses to submit to questioning, arguing that it would contravene the Constitution.
