Taiwanese legislature advances euthanasia and anti-nuclear referendums amid DPP opposition

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan is moving forward with two contentious referendum proposals, one concerning the legalization of euthanasia and the other advocating for the abolition of the 'non-nuclear homeland' energy policy. The proposals, jointly submitted by the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) and the Kuomintang (KMT), were fast-tracked to a second reading and subsequently sent for cross-party negotiation, overcoming objections from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

The DPP voiced strong opposition, with caucus whip Chuang Jui-hsiung criticizing the legislature for avoiding difficult decisions and using life-and-death issues as political tools. He questioned the appropriateness of using referendums for complex policy matters like euthanasia, which involves legal, ethical, medical, and religious considerations, and noted the lack of international consensus on the issue. Chuang also raised concerns about the nuclear waste disposal aspect of the energy policy referendum, urging parties to collaboratively find solutions rather than relying on a public vote.

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The Legislative Yuan, which considers itself capable of deciding everything except childbirth, is afraid to make a decision and is using life as a tool for election mobilization. We must truly think twice.

The TPP's euthanasia proposal asks: "Do you agree that the government should legalize euthanasia, based on the premise of protecting the right to self-determination of life, to provide 'those suffering from incurable diseases' and 'those enduring unbearable pain' with euthanasia under institutional safeguards, to achieve a dignified end of life?" The KMT's proposal seeks to abolish the 'non-nuclear homeland' policy to ensure public health, stable power supply, affordable electricity, enhance national defense resilience, and support AI industry development.

Despite the DPP's objections, the proposals passed the initial vote due to the numerical advantage of the KMT and TPP. Following the fast-tracking, the parties attempted to use procedural tactics to prevent further immediate debate, but their motions for reconsideration were ultimately unsuccessful, solidifying the path for negotiation. KMT legislator Lo Chih-chiang accused the DPP of inconsistency and of using referendums to circumvent legislative decisions, urging President Lai Ching-te to respect the people's will if the referendums pass.

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The Legislative Yuan why must have referendums? Because there is a party called the 'Party of Yesterday's Right is Today's Wrong,' which is the DPP. The laws passed by the Legislative Yuan, the Lai administration does not announce, does not implement, does not count.