Focus Taiwan
Date: 2017/12/12
By: Shih Hsiu-chuan and Liu Li-jung
Taipei, Dec. 12 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday hailed a law
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文,CNA file photo)
amendment lowering of the thresholds for referendums as a “historic moment” that ushers in a new era in which “people are the masters” of the country.
In a post on her Facebook page following the passage of the amendments to the Referendum Act in the Legislature, the president said the existing Referendum Act, which is “fraught with faults,” has become history.
The new amendments have given back power to the people and broken them out of the “birdcage,” Tsai said.
Since it was enacted in 2003, the law has been dubbed the “birdcage Referendum Act” due to its high thresholds for a referendum to be held and for its outcome to be declared valid, as well as the review committee being allowed to turn down a referendum proposal even though it meets the threshold standards. [FULL STORY]