Taipei: Premier Cho Jung-tai faced a brief protest from opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers on Tuesday as he presented an administrative address to the Legislature. The protest culminated in a mass withdrawal of KMT lawmakers from the chamber.

According to Focus Taiwan, Cho was scheduled to brief the Legislature, which reconvened after a recess, on new infrastructure projects for the fiscal year 2025. In a rare departure from his prepared remarks, Cho criticized the opposition parties, which hold a majority in the Legislature, for their recent decision to cut the central government budget. Last month, the KMT, along with the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), voted to slash NT$207.5 billion from the proposed NT$3.13 trillion general budget.

Cho emphasized the necessity of funding new projects, which accounted for the increased budget proposal. He questioned the rationale behind reducing the budget, asking, “Are any of these projects unimportant or unnecessary?” Cho reiterated the importance of these initiatives, aiming to clarify the government’s position.

During his address, Cho concentrated on the relationship between the administrative and legislative branches, urging opposition parties to prioritize unity. However, his speech was interrupted when KMT lawmakers encircled the podium, displaying placards and chanting accusations against the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of being disconnected from the public.

In a show of counter-protest, DPP lawmakers held placards urging the opposition to engage in rational dialogue. The disruption lasted several minutes before KMT lawmakers exited the chamber.

Cho has yet to indicate if the Cabinet will request a re-vote on the budget. Meanwhile, relevant agencies are exploring “legal and constitutional remedies” to address the budget reduction issue, he informed reporters.