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DPP optimistic about referendum proposal
HYPOTHETICAL NO MORE: As the KMT government hopes to sign an ECFA with China
this month, the DPP believes there is no reason to reject the proposed
referendum
By Vincent Y. Chao
Staff Reporter
Thursday, Jun 03, 2010, Page 3
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday expressed
optimism ahead of today’s decision from the Executive Yuan’s Referendum Review
Committee on the validity of a referendum proposal asking voters if they support
the signing of an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) with China.
The 21-member committee is scheduled to deliver a verdict on whether the
proposal, initiated by the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), will be allowed to
take place under the Referendum Act (公民投票法).
A similar plan by the DPP was rejected by the committee last year after it ruled
that its referendum question was based on a hypothetical situation that did not
meet the Referendum Act’s criteria.
DPP lawmakers said yesterday they hoped the screening committee would not make
the same mistake twice.
“A referendum is the public’s most basic democratic right. The review committee
should endorse this proposal and give the public a say over an ECFA,” DPP
Legislator Chen Ming-wen (陳明文) said.
DPP Legislator Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲) said that based on concerns over the
agreement’s impact on the economy and its danger to Taiwan’s democracy, “there
was no reason for the committee to turn down the proposal.”
Opposition parties have rallied behind the TSU’s referendum proposal.
They say the propsed ECFA could affect millions of Taiwanese jobs and devastate
the more vulnerable traditional industries.
DPP spokesperson Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) said an ECFA could lead to Taiwan becoming
more dependent both politically and economically on China, saying that “Taiwan
should not make China its international gateway.”
While crowds are expected to gather ahead of the ruling, Lin said the DPP would
wait for their verdict before making decisions on how it would react.
The DPP has scheduled to hold an event in support of an ECFA referendum at
Kaohsiung City’s Glory Pier tomorrow.
Both DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) are
expected to speak out publicly for the proposal there.
A larger protest by the DPP for an ECFA referendum in Taipei City is also
expected to take place in the middle of this month, although the exact date has
yet to be announced.
Organizers said they hope the ECFA referendum can be put to a vote on Nov. 27 —
alongside the special municipality elections — if passed by today’s screening
committee.
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government, hoping to sign the agreement
with China by end of this month, has maintained that the cross-strait pact would
benefit Taiwan’s export-based economy and aid its chances of signing free-trade
agreements with other countries.
Senior government officials have also previously stated that there is no need to
hold a public vote on the issue, as it would be reviewed by the legislature
before becoming valid.
KMT spokesman Su Jun-pin (蘇俊賓) yesterday dismissed the TSU’s allegation that the
KMT attempted to interfere with the screening process and influence the
committee’s final decision.
“The KMT supports the people’s right to participate in referendums if the legal
process is followed,” Su said.
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