TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan President Lai Ching-te appealed on Monday in his Lunar New Yr message for concord between the ruling and opposition events, amid a standoff over the opposition slashing this 12 months’s finances.
Whereas Lai gained the presidential election final 12 months, his Democratic Progressive Occasion misplaced its majority in parliament, giving the opposition legislative management that features spending proposals.
Final week the opposition, citing a necessity to chop waste, handed spending cuts the federal government says quantity to T$207.6 billion ($6.33 billion) or 6.6% of the proposed complete finances, for central authorities spending this 12 months.
The federal government is contemplating asking parliament to rethink the finances, which incorporates defence spending, although the opposition has not proven indicators of backing down.
In his message forward of the Lunar New Yr, which begins on Wednesday, Lai mentioned concord was wanted, although he didn’t immediately point out the finances or different disputes with the opposition.
“There’s a saying that in a harmonious household, all issues prosper,” he mentioned within the message carried on his social media accounts.
“The identical goes for our nation. I stay up for the ruling and opposition events being in concord and our society uniting. Let’s work collectively to assist our nation proceed to make nice strides.”
Lai, who Beijing denounces as a “separatist” given his rejection of the nation’s sovereignty claims, didn’t prolong greetings to China, which final 12 months staged two rounds of main warfare video games across the island.
“I additionally need to thank everybody in your exhausting work over the previous 12 months. Collectively, we overcame many challenges, serving to Taiwan proceed to progress and develop, in addition to play an much more necessary function on the worldwide stage,” he mentioned.
This 12 months, Lai mentioned he’ll proceed to advertise growth and spur financial progress.
“I may even be resolved within the missions of making certain that the nation endures and progresses, safeguarding the lives and property of the general public.”
($1 = 32.8170 Taiwan {dollars})
