Four referendums will go up for a vote on Dec. 18. One asks about the import of pork containing the feed additive ractopamine. The others are on the protection of an algae reef, the fate of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, and on whether referendums should be held on the same day as major elections. Ahead of the vote, the DPP has organized a series of public events to brief the people on the issues at stake. On Friday, Premier Su Tseng-chang denounced the KMT for turning the referendums into a partisan battle.
Released by the DPP, these graphics ask people to vote “no” in the referendums. On Saturday, a series of policy briefings will begin with an event in Taoyuan. The premier and his ministers are scheduled to speak, to take the front line in a war billed as a referendum on the Cabinet.
Eric Chu
KMT chairman
The DPP should not be so selfishly focused on its party interests that it mounts a blanket opposition to the referendums.
Su Tseng-chang
Premier
When it comes to the public policy aspect of the referendums, Eric Chu is in an untenable position. So he’s turned the referendums into a political struggle. This is a very bad precedent to set for our referendums. It’s a negative example.
The premier defended a 4% public servant wage hike authorized Thursday by the Executive Yuan. The raise was blasted by the KMT, which accused the Cabinet of trying to sway referendum votes.
Su Tseng-chang
Premier
The wage adjustment for service members, civil servants, and teachers is a form of recognition of their efforts. If the KMT opposes that, it should say so directly.
With the referendum shaping up to be a partisan showdown, the KMT and the DPP are mobilizing for a hard fight. The DPP has earmarked NT$58 million for its election campaign. According to internal sources, party members are entitled to NT$25,000 for the purchase of hanging campaign banners. They can get NT$5,000 for digital signage. Members who hold public briefings can get subsidies based on the number of participants. Subsidies are also available to those who support large-scale events hosted by the party headquarters.
Chen Yu-jen
KMT lawmaker
Today the DPP’s coffers are as deep as the nation’s. It has allocated more than NT$50 million for its war against public opinion.
Chen Ting-fei
DPP lawmaker
It’s because this is a major campaign. This campaign has to have a budget. I don’t think it’s necessary to make a big fuss over this. With any activity organized by the DPP, the party draws up a budget for member expenditures.
With their party apparatuses at the ready, the KMT and DPP are set for a fiery campaign ahead of the referendums.
