The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) caucus reportedly plans to propose a euthanasia referendum on Tuesday next week, seeking to fast-track it alongside the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) proposed referendum on restarting nuclear power.
Long focused on euthanasia, the TPP in 2020 proposed a draft euthanasia law advocating for “dignified end of life” policies and people’s right to choose.
The TPP in April held a public hearing to discuss euthanasia, and party sources said euthanasia has received relatively strong public support in recent polls.
Photo courtesy of the TPP
The TPP caucus plans to propose the euthanasia referendum and seek direct second reading at the Legislative Yuan meeting on Tuesday next week, after Typhoon Bavi delayed its original plan for yesterday.
Taiwan is a super-aged society and more families each year watch helplessly as loved ones endure endless suffering from illness, TPP caucus whip Chen Ching-lung (陳清龍) said yesterday.
People have the right to directly express their views through a referendum, rather than issues involving medical ethics and human dignity being decided by a small group, Chen said.
The KMT caucus planned to propose its referendum on restarting nuclear power yesterday, but as work has been canceled due to the typhoon, it would instead introduce the proposal for direct second reading at the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday.
Ahead of the local elections in November, the KMT and the TPP had planned five referendums: caning, the death penalty, nuclear power, absentee voting and road safety.
With the TPP adding a euthanasia referendum, the two parties potentially have six referendums to be held alongside the elections.
Central Election Commission Chairman Michael You (游盈隆) previously urged opposition parties to reconsider proposing so many referendums, warning that the election system could be overwhelmed if there are more than three.
Democratic Progressive Party caucus chief executive Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) yesterday said that while his caucus respects people’s right to referendums, the opposition parties should not use them as a tool for garnering votes.
Democracy is not about creating divisions, but building consensus through thorough discussion, Chuang said.
“The public needs responsible policies, not one political maneuver after another disguised as referendums,” he said.
Additional reporting by Chen Cheng-yu
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