Taiwan’s opposition lawmakers blocked the Executive Yuan’s NT$1.25 trillion defense budget again on Tuesday, escalating the security budget standoff. Consequently, Democratic Progressive Party legislators criticized the move, saying it obstructs national security measures and delays critical military planning. Party officials warned that this security budget standoff could undermine long-term defense readiness if not resolved quickly.
The Executive Yuan proposed the eight-year defense spending plan on November 27 to modernize military systems and strengthen national security. However, Chinese Nationalist Party and Taiwan People’s Party legislators previously blocked the bill from committee review, preventing a first reading. Today, the Procedure Committee again debated whether to advance the proposal for full legislative consideration.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Fan Yun urged the committee to include the defense and fiscal planning bills on Friday’s agenda. She also requested formal reports and question sessions to ensure transparency and legislative oversight. Furthermore, Fan and other DPP members protested, holding signs, and said opposition refusal to discuss the bills harms governance.
Fan emphasized that the NT$1.25 trillion total will be spread across eight years, averaging about NT$150 billion annually. She added that if opposition lawmakers have genuine concerns, they should present them in committee hearings rather than block progress. DPP members repeated that continued obstruction weakens national security and delays vital defense programs.
Meanwhile, TPP Legislator Liu Shu-pin proposed submitting the agenda unchanged, and nine lawmakers supported her motion, while another nine opposed it. Then, KMT legislator and committee convener Weng Hsiao-ling broke the tie by siding with Liu, sending the agenda to the full Legislative Yuan.
KMT caucus secretary-general Lo Chih-chiang countered criticism, claiming President William Lai avoided legislative scrutiny. He said the DPP also delayed the defense budget and urged the president to answer questions from lawmakers promptly.
Analysts warned that the impasse could slow procurement schedules and complicate Taiwan’s defense planning. They also noted that partisan rivalry may overshadow technical reviews of the proposed budget. Therefore, lawmakers face pressure to resolve differences quickly to ensure defense modernization proceeds on schedule.
The ongoing security budget standoff highlights rising tensions between the ruling party and opposition, with national security and fiscal policy trapped in legislative gridlock.
