A referendum to reopen Taiwan's last nuclear power plant has failed to achieve the legal threshold for validity, despite a clear majority of voters supporting the move. The plebiscite, held on Saturday, asked whether the Maanshan plant should be brought back online if deemed safe. The plant was shut down in May as Taiwan transitions to renewable energy and liquefied natural gas.
Proposed by the Taiwan People's Party and backed by the Kuomintang (KMT), the referendum aimed to reduce reliance on energy imports. Official figures show around 4.3 million votes in favour, against 1.5 million opposed. However, under electoral law, the motion required the support of one quarter of all registered voters—approximately 5 million people—to pass. As this threshold was not reached, the plant will remain closed.
President Lai Ching-te acknowledged the outcome but noted that nuclear power could be reconsidered in future if safety concerns are addressed. 'If, in the future, the technology becomes safer, nuclear waste is reduced and societal acceptance increases, we will not rule out advanced nuclear energy,' he said. The government has cited earthquake risks and nuclear waste management as key reasons for opposing atomic power.
In a separate vote, electors rejected a recall attempt against seven KMT legislators. A larger recall drive targeting 24 lawmakers from the same party also failed last month. Civic groups, supported by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, had accused the legislators of being too close to China and obstructing government spending, allegations the lawmakers deny.
