Opinion split on Future Forward Party dissolution
Public opinion is divided over the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FFP), with about one-third saying core party members should accept the decision and a slightly larger number saying they should oppose it and find a way for the movement to continue its political activities, according to a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The poll was carried out on Feb 26-27 among 1,260 people aged 18 and over, after the Constitutional Court ruled to dissolve the party and ban its executives from politics for 10 years — a move that has seen students forming flash mobs and online campaigns in protest.
Asked how the former FFP core members should respond to the court’s decision, 33.4% of the respondents said they should accept it; 25.3% said they should honestly express their opposition to the court’s decision; 11.35% suggested that they launch a nation-wide campaign for the remaining MPs to conduct political activities on their behalf.
Of those polled, 8.65% said the remaining MPs have the right to defect to another party; 8.3% suggested that the former core party members should end their political roles; 5.7% said the remaining MPs should move to a new party prepared beforehand as FFP’s replacement; 4.29% said the former
FFP core members should lead street protests; and 10.7% had no comment.
Regarding the students’ forming flash mobs and using anti-government hashtags, 61% said they have the right and freedom to do so under the law; 21.1% saw them as a sign of another looming political conflict; 12.7% were concerned the students would be used as political tools; 7.78% worried the gatherings would turn into riots as seen in Hong Kong; 6.35% thought the students’ activities would soon fade away; and 2.4% had no comment.
Asked whether a replacement party with support from former FFP core members would be the same in terms of popularity, 35.7% believed it would be more popular; 24.37% were uncertain, saying this would depend on future developments; 22.78% believed it would be as popular as the old party; 15% said it would be less popular; and 2% had no comment.