The debate over whether to continue construction of Taiwan’s fourth nuclear power plant continues to roil the country. Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian, a Democrat Progressive who swept the Nationalist Party out of power after 55 years of rule last March, stopped construction in October, saying the $5.5 billion plant was unnecessary and would create serious environmental and safety risks. Last week, however, the country’s Nationalist-dominated legislature voted to reverse Chen’s decision. Chen’s government at first said that it was under no obligation to follow the vote. But the news today is that the Democrat Progressives have agreed to resume construction through this year, under the condition that a newly elected legislature will have the final say on the plant next year.
