The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday proposed an amendment to the Political Donations Act (政治獻金法) to allow those launching recall-related events to receive political donations, saying that the current regulations infringe on people’s right to recall officials.
The draft amendment says that groups launching a recall of officials and those being recalled should both be able to receive political donations, but the groups initiating the process would have to pass the first stage of collecting signatures before they can ask for donations.
The funds could not be used for other purposes and all donations to either side would have to be turned over to the government once the efforts to launch a recall, or a recall vote, have concluded, it says.
Photo courtesy of Chou Chun-mi’s office
Article 17 of the Constitution says that the rights of election and recall are important factors for public participation in politics, said DPP Legislator Chou Chun-mi (周春米), one of the sponsors of the bill.
However, the act currently only designates political parties and groups, as well as candidates, eligible recipients of political donations, and fails to address by-elections resulting from a successful recall, Chou said, adding that the oversights go against the nation’s democratic system.
DPP Legislator Liu Shih-fang (劉世芳) said that a recall vote launched against Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) has highlighted the inadequacies of the current system.
The Wecare Kaohsiung coalition of civic groups gathered sufficient signatures to launch the recall vote against Han, which was approved by the Central Election Commission and is to be held on Saturday next week.
Civic groups are comprised of regular citizens and would face difficulty standing up to the concerted actions of a government, such as those of Han and the Kaohsiung City Government, Liu said.
DPP Legislator Lai Pin-yu (賴品妤) cited documents previously released by Wecare Kaohsiung showing that it had spent NT$8 million (US$266,773) staging rallies.
Han is the only public figure in Taiwan to be the target of two recalls, following one in 1994 when he was a legislator, Lai said.
Han and the Kaohsiung City Government’s actions highlight the urgent need to amend relevant legislation and systems, she added.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS