Taiwan's Legislature to start new session on Sept. 19

Taipei, Sept. 12 (CNA) The Legislative Yuan's new session will open Sept. 19, with Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) scheduled to deliver a Cabinet policy report and take questions from lawmakers on Sept. 30, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) said Friday.

Han made the announcement after convening inter-party talks to discuss the opening date and agenda for the 11th Legislative Yuan's fourth session.

An agreement was reached to hold the opening session's first plenary meeting on Sept. 19, with discussions to include a special budget aimed at strengthening economic and social resilience in response to international developments, Han said.

Also on that day, the Committee of the Whole Yuan will review the proposed extension of the National Audit Office's auditor-general, with each political caucus nominating scholars and experts to join the discussions, Han said.

The post is currently held by Chen Jui-min (陳瑞敏), whose six-year term will expire on Oct. 1. However, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) has nominated him to continue in the role, pending legislative approval.

Han said the second Legislative plenary meeting will take place on Sept. 30, during which a vote will be carried out to decide whether to extend Chen's term.

Han further said the premier will be joined by heads of various ministries to present the Cabinet's policy report and take questions from lawmakers later in the afternoon on Sept. 30.

On Oct. 3, Cho and the heads of the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, the finance ministry, and other relevant ministries will be invited to present a report on the drafting of the special budget, Han said.

After a Q&A session, the draft will be submitted for Legislative review, with all caucuses agreeing not to request a reconsideration.

Meanwhile, Han announced on Friday that the schedule for electing the conveners of each standing committee at the Legislature has been set for Oct. 1.

Under the current rules of the Legislative Yuan, committee conveners are elected at the beginning of every session.