Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday that a nuclear-free Taiwan remained the party's goal. But given that the DPP was a democratic party, the chairman said, he would not prohibit party members from discussing this issue.
In the DPP's central standing committee meeting on Wednesday, Vice President Annette Lu (
According to Article 64 of the DPP's guidelines, the party "opposes the establishment of additional nuclear power plants, aims to encourage the use of alternative energy sources and to close existing nuclear power plants within a finite period."
Lu's remarks sparked lively debate.
When asked whether Lu's remarks violated the party's guideline, Yu answered: "Yes."
Yu said that the nuclear power issue was not listed as a proposal in the central standing committee.
"The vice president is just expressing her personal opinion. The DPP is a party that does not oppose different voices," Yu said.
DPP legislative caucus whip Chen Chun-jun (
However, since construction had resumed on the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, the DPP would not propose the work should be halted again, he said.
"But we will continue to monitor the budgets for the fourth nuclear plant. Security remains the priority," he said.
DPP Legislator Chao Yung-ching (
"I think it is incredible that the budget for the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant has been increased. There must be activity behind the scenes. Resuming construction harms the credibility of the party and shows a lack of accountability," Chao said.
The pan-blue camp yesterday praised Lu's remarks, saying it was time for the DPP to re-examine its nuclear power policy.
KMT legislative caucus whip Pan Wei-kang (
"We are glad to see that the vice president has caught up with world trends," Pan said.
She added that it was the DPP's fault that NT$3.5 billion had been wasted when compensation was paid for halting the construction of the plant, and that another NT$78 billion was subsequently required to resume construction.
Meanwhile, Yu Shyi-kun yesterday said that the first family should apologize over first lady Wu Shu-jen's (
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