TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) called on the legislature to prioritize passing government budget bills on Friday (Nov. 1).

In a report sent from the Cabinet to the legislature, Cho said that he hopes ruling and opposition parties will prioritize passing the budget in the interest of the people’s welfare, per CNA. Legislators last met to discuss the budget bills on Oct. 24 and will discuss the bills again on Friday.

Cho said in the report that the budget for the coming year sets out expenditures for projects that will strengthen Taiwan’s development. He said this spending will improve Taiwan's economy, national defense, education, research and development, healthcare, and sustainability. 

Passing the bills will allow the government to realize President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) vision of an “innovative, prosperous, sustainable, just, democratic, and peaceful Taiwan," Cho said.

Proposed budget bills for the 2025 fiscal year cover NT$3.1325 trillion (US$97.942 billion) in spending with revenue of NT$3.1534 trillion, according to Cho’s report. It said spending is up 9.8% from the 2024 fiscal year and revenue is up 15.7%.

If the bills pass the discussion stage on Friday they will be sent to relevant government ministries, legislative subcommittees, and the Cabinet for consideration.

The Cabinet's budget bills have been opposed by opposition legislators since they were introduced in September. Cho said on Oct. 18 that constitutional interpretation may be needed if the legislature continues to reject and seek changes to them.