TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —The opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan again delayed voting on President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) defense budget on Friday.

After another vote to exclude Lai’s budget from the Legislative Yuan’s agenda, Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) invited the president to give a state-of-the-nation speech at the Legislative Yuan. Opposition lawmakers are asking for Lai to explain his budget and proposed arms purchases before the public, per UDN.

In an effort to overcome the legislative gridlock, Lai extended an invitation for Han to join him for tea at the Presidential Office. The possibility of a private meeting was reportedly discussed earlier in the week at an event hosted by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, per UDN.

Both Han and Lai agreed to the meeting, which will take place next Wednesday at 10 a.m. Premier Cho Jung-tai (桌榮泰) and Examination Yuan President Chou Hong-hsien (周弘憲) are also expected to join. 

The Presidential Office has not responded to the Legislative Yuan’s invitation for a state of the nation address, which may be a topic of discussion at next week’s meeting. 

Opposition lawmakers claim the massive increase in defense spending threatens government funding for critical programs, which may harm economic development and social welfare to the detriment of national security.