The Cabinet’s Referendum Review Committee turned down another proposed referendum on the Cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) Aug. 11, forcing Taiwan’s opposition parties back to the drawing board and casting doubt on the value of their tactics.
After a brief meeting, committee members rejected the Taiwan Solidarity Union-backed proposal 10-2 on the basis that it did not conform to the law. The submission asked: “Do you agree that the government should sign an ECFA with mainland China?”
The proposed referendum question was identical to one submitted by the TSU in early June.
“We rejected the proposal because it did not involve changing major government policies as stated by the Referendum Act,” Committee Chairman Chao Yung-mao said.
“The question should also have been phrased negatively to indicate opposition to a policy,” he said. “If passed, this would have forced the government to act.”
The Cabinet said it respected the committee’s decision, adding that the ECFA will benefit Taiwan’s industries and create more opportunities for future development.
Despite the second knock-back, TSU Chairman Huang Kun-huei said the party plans on continuing efforts to put the ECFA to a public vote.
Opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said the DPP will shortly submit a bill to the Legislature calling for an ECFA referendum. (HTY-JSM)