Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/07/07
By: Stacy Hsu

Taipei, July 7 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) administration and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) defended Sunday their latest revision of the Referendum Act, as the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) mobilized tens of thousands to rally in the streets of Taipei to protest against what they called an "iron cage" amendment.

Speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony in Taipei to mark the exoneration of more than 3,000 political victims of the White Terror era, Tsai said the amendment will better guarantee the right of the public to exercise direct democracy via referendum.

"We hope that by setting a fixed date for future referendums, the public will be more likely to focus on the issues to be voted on and be given more time to engage in extensive communications and discussions," Tsai said.

Asked about her views on the KMT rally, she said the event "looks more like political mobilization for (the party's presidential) primary."    [FULL  STORY]