Majority Favors Resumption of Ma-anshan Factory: Survey Results
In the lead-up to the August 23 referendum on the continued operation of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, a poll conducted in the Kaohsiung-Pingtung area has revealed some interesting insights into public opinion.
According to the poll, which received 1,079 valid responses with a margin of error of 2.98 percentage points, 66% of respondents favor conditionally resuming the power plant operations, while 26% oppose.
The main political parties supporting the restart of the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant are the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP). The poll found that 87% of KMT supporters favor resuming the power plant operations, with 7.7% opposed. Similarly, 93% of TPP supporters favor the restart, with 3.5% opposed.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its chair, President Lai Ching-te, oppose the restart. In the poll, 16% of politically neutral or independent respondents were opposed to resuming the power plant operations, while 64% favored it.
The poll also found that more than half of each age bracket supports conditionally resuming the power plant operations, and there was no significant difference in opinion across education brackets regarding the power plant operations. Respondents across all vocations mostly agree with conditionally resuming the power plant operations.
The Central Election Commission held the first of five forums to discuss the upcoming referendum on Thursday. The next forum is to be held today at 7pm.
Independent and environmental groups generally oppose the restart, citing safety concerns and nuclear waste problems. Protests have been held by groups like Green Party Taiwan and others from Pingtung County near Maanshan, emphasizing local and environmental opposition.
The referendum question asks if voters agree that Maanshan should continue operation after competent authority safety approval. The vote will take place on August 23, 2025.
Policy and legislation concerning the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant referendum, scheduled for August 23, 2025, have been a hot topic in politics, with the poll revealing that 66% of Kaohsiung-Pingtung area respondents favor conditionally resuming operations, while 26% oppose. General news reporting has also highlighted the divided opinions, with the main political parties supporting the restart, such as the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP), expressing support, while the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its chair, President Lai Ching-te, oppose it. Environmental groups like Green Party Taiwan have been protesting, citing safety concerns and nuclear waste problems. The Central Election Commission is hosting forums to discuss the referendum, with the second forum scheduled for today at 7pm.
