Taiwan's central government budget for 2026 is finally moving forward after a record-long delay, a relief for the Cabinet and government agencies that have been waiting to spend it.

• The Legislative Yuan formally sent the 2026 budget out on Wednesday, and it takes effect once the Presidential Office publishes it.
• The budget sat in the legislature for 351 days before passing its final reading in mid-August, the latest a central government budget has ever been approved.
• Even after passing, it was held up another 34 days before being forwarded to the Cabinet and president, leaving Premier Cho Jung-tai to say the government was "waiting anxiously."
• Cho has told every ministry to start spending on schedule immediately once the president signs off, since only a few months remain in the year to execute the whole plan.
• He also cautioned that the rush to spend must still follow the law.

Outlook: Expect a scramble by Taiwan's ministries to push through a full year's worth of planned spending before year-end, with the budget fight likely to remain a political flashpoint between the Cabinet and the opposition-led legislature.