TPP's 3 Referendum Proposals: Only 1 Passed — Chen Zhihan Slams Blue-Green 'Unreliability': Without Strength, Minor Parties Will Eventually Be Crushed

The Legislative Yuan held a vote today (14th) on several referendum proposals. The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) submitted three initiatives: 'Dedicated Use of Traffic Fines,' 'Domestic Transfer Voting,' and 'Euthanasia.' Ultimately, only the traffic fines proposal was approved. Chen Zhihan, Director of the TPP Legislative Caucus, acknowledged the result was disheartening but not unexpected, emphasizing the need to confront the reality of holding only eight seats in the legislature.

Chen Zhihan posted on Facebook under the title 'Let Today’s Defeat Inspire Our Strength,' stating that while the party had mentally prepared for the failure of the transfer voting and euthanasia referendums, many members had worked tirelessly until the final moment.

Why Is Transfer Voting Important? Chen Zhihan: Political Rights Should Not Be Compromised by Conditions

Chen pointed out that domestic transfer voting affects everyone’s right to political participation and should not diminish voting rights due to geographic or economic conditions. She stressed that 'one person, one vote; each vote equal' is the foundation of democracy, and transfer voting has already become a global trend.

Regarding the euthanasia referendum, Chen stated the issue touches on whether citizens have the right to self-determination over life and the choice of a dignified death. She noted that despite advances in medical technology, medicine is not omnipotent, and Taiwan’s existing 'Hospice Palliative Care Act' and 'Patient Autonomy Act' still fail to fully address the suffering endured by some terminally ill patients at the end of life.

Private Support, Public Opposition? Chen Criticizes DPP’s Lack of Credibility

Chen said the TPP’s three referendum proposals sparked public discussion and created significant public pressure. She claimed the DPP subsequently scheduled committee discussions on euthanasia legislation; on traffic fines, they shifted from inaction to proposing 50% allocation for traffic improvements, later increasing it to 100%—a move she believes was intended to block the TPP’s referendum.

Chen relayed that DPP legislators privately said, 'We support the traffic proposal! Why do you need a referendum?' and 'We support euthanasia too! Just discuss it in committee,' yet voted against both during formal proceedings. She criticized: 'This result isn’t surprising—how can the DPP claim credibility when they neither co-sponsor, announce, nor implement policies?'

Why Didn’t the KMT Support? Chen Reveals Political Realities Behind the Two Failed Proposals

Chen also criticized the KMT, noting that neither transfer voting nor euthanasia received their support. She believes the former involves party interests, while the latter is entangled with serious issues like religion, ethics, and morality, meaning that despite ongoing negotiations by the TPP, sufficient votes could not be secured.

Facing the defeat, Chen quoted Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu’s earlier statement: 'Those with more votes win; those with fewer lose.' She frankly stated that a minor party with only eight seats must recognize political reality: 'Without sufficient strength, we will eventually be wiped out. Our ideals can ultimately only be realized by ourselves.' She emphasized that this setback should not lead the TPP to abandon its goals, but rather strengthen its path forward.