Taipei: Opposition lawmakers voted on Friday to expedite a motion condemning Premier Cho Jung-tai following his decision not to countersign youth savings legislation recently passed by the Legislature, along with other bills. According to Focus Taiwan, this motion, initiated by the smaller opposition Taiwan People's Party (TPP), accuses the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration of "repeatedly abusing authority under the Constitution" to invalidate legislation passed by the Legislature.
The motion argues that Premier Cho's actions exceed official authority, disrupt the separation of powers, and disregard the Legislature's role. With backing from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT), the proposal bypassed committee review and advanced directly to a second reading, setting the stage for a potential vote within a month. However, under the current legal system, such a legislative motion to censure the premier remains symbolic, lacking binding force or statutory authority.
Cho announced on Monday his refusal to countersign the Special Act on Taiwan Future Accounts, a bill designed to create government-funded accounts for minors under 18, and an amendment to the Cable Radio and Television Act, both passed by the opposition-controlled Legislature. Article 37 of the Constitution of the Republic of China mandates that laws passed by the Legislature must be countersigned by the premier before the president can formally promulgate them.
The opposition contends that this countersign authority serves as a check on presidential power, not on the Legislature, arguing that the premier should seek a re-vote if the government opposes a law. Cho's decision marks a rare invocation of this authority, a move not seen until December 2025 when he first declined to countersign the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures. Since then, Cho has refused to sign legislation seven times, including amendments to legislative governance rules.
Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu criticized Cho on Thursday for "weaponizing" his countersign authority, labeling the action a significant error. Han highlighted that Taiwan registered fewer than 50,000 newborns in the first half of the year, arguing that Cho's refusal to sign the bill undermines relief efforts intended for children.
In response, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Xavier Chang stated on Friday that Article 37 of the Constitution obliges Cho to act to "uphold the constitutional order." The Executive Yuan justified its refusal to countersign the bill on constitutional and equity grounds, asserting that the measure impinges on its authority to manage policies and the national budget. It also argued that allowing corporate sponsorship of the accounts could exacerbate the wealth gap, and that vague tax exemptions contravene the principle of taxation by law.
The opposition-backed youth savings accounts propose an annual NT$60,000 (US$1,887) for minors under 18, with newborns receiving an initial NT$60,000, amounting to NT$1.14 million by age 18. In contrast, the DPP government announced in May 2026 a plan to be enacted in 2027 through administrative measures, offering a monthly NT$5,000 "growth subsidy" for every child under 18, totaling NT$1.08 million over 18 years. Despite differing in fund management and withdrawal rules, both proposals aim to establish a financial foundation for children by age 18.