原発げんぱつゼロ台湾たいわん 再さい稼働かどう不ふ成立せいりつ 住民じゅうみん投票とうひょうで賛成さんせい多数たすうも条件じょうけん満みたさず

In Taiwan, where all nuclear power plants have been shut down and zero nuclear power has been achieved, a referendum was held to decide whether to restart them. Although more people voted in favor than against, the necessary conditions were not met and the referendum did not pass.

In Taiwan, following incidents such as the accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Companys Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the nuclear power plant in Pingtung County in the south ceased operations this May, achieving the zero nuclear power policy promoted by the Democratic Progressive Party administration.

In response, the opposition criticized that the supply of electricity necessary for the production of semiconductors and other goods would become unstable, and passed a bill in the legislature, where the opposition holds the majority, to hold a referendum on whether to restart this nuclear power plant.

In the referendum held on the 23rd, the Central Election Commissions tally showed that more than 4.3 million votes were in favor of restarting, greatly surpassing the more than 1.5 million votes against it.

However, since the votes in favor did not exceed five million and did not meet the requirement of more than one-fourth of eligible voters, it was not approved.

In response to the results, President Lai Ching-te stated, I fully understand that society expects a diverse range of energy choices, expressing a certain level of understanding toward the pro side as well.

On the 23rd, a referendum was also held in Taiwan to decide whether to recall—meaning dismiss—seven lawmakers from the largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, which is considered conciliatory toward China. All of the recall motions failed.

In July as well, a recall referendum targeting 24 Kuomintang lawmakers failed to pass. The minority ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party DPP, aimed to secure a majority in the legislature through the recall and subsequent by-elections, but was unable to achieve this.