A referendum in Taiwan on Saturday to reactivate a recently shut nuclear power plant failed to clear a legal threshold, although far more people voted in favor than those who were opposed.



A tally by Taiwan's Central Election Commission showed more than 4.3 million votes were cast in favor of the plant restarting, while over 1.5 million ballots were cast against it. But to pass, the motion needed the backing of a quarter of registered voters, or around 5 million people.



The nuclear power plant in the south of the island was taken offline in May, leaving Taiwan without any operating nuclear plants. This is in line with the policy pursued by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP.



But opposition parties have cited concerns about stable power supplies, which are deemed particularly important for production of semiconductors. The opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan passed a bill for the referendum to be held.



After the vote, President Lai Ching-te said he understands "society's expectations for diverse energy options."



In a separate referendum on Saturday, a bid to recall seven lawmakers from the largest opposition Kuomintang, or KMT, was voted down in all the seven electoral districts. Similar efforts to recall 24 KMT legislators also failed in July.



The opposition party is often criticized for being pro-Beijing by its opponents.



Lai's minority government has failed to achieve its goal of securing a legislative majority through recalls and subsequent by-elections.
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Quiz 1:
On August 24, 2025, a referendum was held in Taiwan regarding the restart of a nuclear power plant. The referendum did not pass despite more votes being cast in favor of the plant reopening than against it. How many people needed to vote for the motion to pass?
A. More than 4.3 million
B. More than 1.5 million
C. Around 5 million (a quarter of registered voters)
D. Less than 1.5 million

Quiz 2:
What political party is often criticized for being pro-Beijing by its opponents?
A. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
B. Kuomintang (KMT)
C. Central Election Commission
D. Legislative Yuan

Quiz 3:
Taiwan's nuclear power plant, taken offline in May, is associated with which political party's policy?
A. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
B. Kuomintang (KMT)
C. Central Election Commission
D. Legislative Yuan