Premier Refuses to Countersign Unconstitutional Amendments to Fiscal Law

Premier Cho Jung-tai on Monday convened an Executive Yuan press conference to announce his decision to defend constitutional order by refusing to countersign amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures. The premier stated that the amendments, which passed their third and final reading in the Legislative Yuan on November 14, 2025, are clearly unconstitutional. To faithfully fulfill his role and responsibility as the head of the country's highest administrative organ, and in accordance with Article 37 of the Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the premier decided to withhold his countersignature from the amendments. By halting these unconstitutional amendments, the decision defends the constitutional principle of separation of powers; upholds popular sovereignty, democratic principles and lawful governance; and protects the nation's development and fiscal stability.

Premier Cho said the Legislative Yuan's amendments to the Act contain clear violations of the Constitution. First, the amendments contravene the constitutional principle of separation of powers and substantially infringe upon the executive power of the Executive Yuan. Second, the legislative process for passing the amendments contradicted the principles of transparency and deliberation, thereby undermining democratic procedures. Third, the implementation of the amendments would inflict irreparable and serious harm to national development.

Premier Cho further explained that the amendments would lead to inequitable distribution of financial resources among counties and cities, resulting in a widening urban-rural gap and betraying the intent of Article 147 of the Constitution. Once implemented, the amended Act would inflict irreparable and serious harm on the public interest, and the Executive Yuan has a responsibility to ensure national development and fiscal stability.

The premier stressed that under the Constitution's framework of checks and balances, the Legislative Yuan may, in accordance with Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 2 of Article 3 of the Additional Articles of the Constitution, initiate a vote of no confidence against the premier if it objects to the Executive Yuan's decision not to countersign the bill. Therefore, the Executive Yuan's decision does not constitute an overreach of executive power or an act of executive dictatorship. Faced with unconstitutional and unlawful legislation, the premier, in the exercise of his constitutional responsibilities, is obliged to refuse to countersign in order to prevent harm to the nation.