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Taiwan passes 2026 annual budget after record delay
Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament has approved the 2026 annual government budget following a record-breaking eight-month delay. The impasse between the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and opposition parties, including the Kuomintang, concluded with lawmakers voting to reduce the original NT$3.034 trillion ($94.79 billion) proposal by NT$48 billion.
Despite the overall cuts, NT$63.4 billion earmarked for a critical drone program to bolster national defense passed without reductions. This funding is intended to modernize military systems to deter China. Additionally, the cabinet is expected to propose next year’s budget with a 16% annual increase in defense spending.
President Lai Ching-te called for a return to professionalism and reasonableness in budget reviews, urging that political divisions should not impede the state's functioning. While the delay was historic, the government continued to operate under a provisional budget mechanism to ensure uninterrupted public services.
Entities
Democratic Progressive Party · Fu Kun-chi · Kuomintang · Lai Ching-te · Taiwan · Taiwan Parliament
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 12 SOURCES] President Lai Ching-te called for budget reviews to be based on professionalism and reasonableness rather than political division. wxerfm.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · wsau.com · mix929.com · jack1065.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The upcoming budget proposal from the cabinet is expected to include a 16% annual increase in defense spending. wxerfm.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · wsau.com · mix929.com · jack1065.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The original proposed expenditure was approximately NT$3.034 trillion ($94.79 billion). wxerfm.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · wsau.com · mix929.com · jack1065.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Lawmakers reduced the original budget proposal by NT$48 billion. newscentraltv.com · wxerfm.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · wsau.com · mix929.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Taiwanese lawmakers approved the 2026 annual government budget. newscentraltv.com · wxerfm.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · wsau.com · mix929.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] The budget approval follows an eight-month delay, the longest in the nation's history. newscentraltv.com · mix929.com · jack1065.com · kelo.com · srnnews.com · +7 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Funding for a drone program to bolster defense passed without cuts. wxerfm.com · ca.news.yahoo.com · wsau.com · mix929.com · jack1065.com · +7 more