Lai open to advanced nuclear energy, plans Cabinet reshuffle

Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said he will carry out a Cabinet reshuffle while expressing openness to advanced nuclear power, after recall votes against seven opposition lawmakers all failed and a referendum on restarting a nuclear power plant did not meet the approval threshold on Saturday.

In an address at the Presidential Office following the voting, Lai emphasized the importance of listening to the people and voiced hope for greater cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties.

He said that although the referendum held earlier in the day failed to meet the threshold -- requiring "yes" votes to exceed 25 percent of all eligible voters -- "we respect the outcome, and I fully understand society's expectations for diversified energy options."

The president, who also serves as chairman of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was referring to the fact that more than 4 million voters cast "yes" ballots in the referendum on whether to extend the operation of Taiwan's Third Nuclear Power Plant, compared with over 1.5 million who voted "no."

● Referendum on extending No. 3 nuclear power plant operation defeated

Lai said that nuclear power is a scientific issue that cannot be resolved by a single referendum.

The process of restarting a nuclear power plant involves two requirements, the president explained. The first is that the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) must, in accordance with the law, establish regulations for the safety review process.

The second is that Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) must conduct its own safety inspections in line with the regulations set by the Commission, he added

He would instruct both the NSC -- Taiwan's authority on atomic energy safety -- and state-run Taipower to carry out these requirements, Lai said.

In terms of nuclear power, "the government will uphold the three major principles: ensuring nuclear safety, resolving nuclear waste issues, and achieving social consensus. This is our firm and steady position in addressing nuclear energy issues," Lai said.

"Therefore, if in the future technology becomes safer, nuclear waste is reduced, and public acceptance increases, we do not rule out advanced nuclear energy," he said.

The remarks could indicate a possible shift in the DPP's long-term "nuclear-free homeland" policy, which was achieved on May 17 when Taiwan's last active power plant -- the Third (Maanshan) Nuclear Power Plant -- ceased operation.

Seeking administration-legislature interactions

Speaking about Saturday's recall votes against opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers, Lai admitted there were shortcomings in government policies, pledging his administrative team will engage in self-reflection and make changes.

Saying he would initiate necessary personnel changes in his Cabinet, Lai noted that he had asked Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to remain in office to "safeguard the nation's critical missions," which he highlighted include tariff negotiations with the United States, post-typhoon reconstruction, and budgetary matters.

The president added that his administration will implement personnel adjustments to improve efficiency and make governance more tangible, while also shifting policy priorities to focus on the economy, people's livelihoods, vulnerable groups, and youth.

The government will also seek to increase dialogue between ruling and opposition parties, while adjusting the fiscal structure to ensure sustainability across generations, strengthen national finances, and secure the country's long-term development, Lai said.

Saturday's recall votes followed a failed attempt to unseat another 24 KMT lawmakers on July 26 in a campaign launched by civic groups and backed by the DPP.

These targeted KMT legislators were elected in January 2024, mainly from electoral districts in the northern half of Taiwan, a traditional opposition stronghold.

In the 2024 elections, the DPP's Lai won the presidency with 40 percent of the vote, but the party lost its majority in the 113-seat Legislative Yuan.

The KMT secured 52 seats, including 13 legislators at large; the DPP had 51 seats, including 13 legislators at large; and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) won eight legislators at large. The other two seats were won by independents who are ideologically aligned with the KMT.

Since the elections, the KMT has worked closely with the TPP to pass several prominent bills the opposition camp favored, including cuts to the central government's proposed general budget, sparking an outcry from the ruling party.