Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen has called on the government to write the amount of universal cash handouts into law. While this represents a short-term gain for members of the public hoping to receive the money, she argues that the absence of a formal system undermines fiscal discipline.

• President Lai Ching-te announced that an additional NT$235.7 billion will be added to next year's central government budget, providing a universal handout of NT$10,000 per person.
• Lu Shiow-yen said the money comes from taxes paid by all citizens, is not the president's private savings, and should not be decided by the president alone.
• She argued that the amount to be distributed must be codified in law and institutionalised — only then can it be called fiscal discipline.
• Jaw Shaw-kong suggested that she once again form an alliance with Han Kuo-yu, Hou Yu-ih and Chiang Wan-an to boost their electoral prospects. She responded that it was "a good idea," stressing that every one of them is indispensable if the Kuomintang is to return to power.

What to watch: universal cash handouts are set to become the main point of contention in next year's budget review and in the election campaign, and the Kuomintang may also accelerate its efforts to consolidate.