Taiwan's ruling and opposition parties are fighting over a planned NT$10,000 cash handout to every citizen, with each side accusing the other of switching positions for political gain.

• President Lai Ching-te says everyone should share in Taiwan's AI boom, and has budgeted a NT$10,000 payout for next year.
• Taichung mayor Lu Shiu-yen wants the size of any handout fixed by law, arguing it is not the president's money to give away.
• She pushed the central government hard last year to hand out cash quickly, which is why rivals call her stance a flip-flop.
• Premier Cho Jung-tai has already ruled out a bigger NT$20,000 payout, keeping the fight over the amount alive.
• DPP city councillors say the real question is whether Lu opposes handouts at all, or only opposes Lai.

Outlook: The payout looks set to go ahead next year, but expect a continued push to lock the rules for future handouts into law.