Following a previous failed attempt, the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) made another proposal to settle the disputes over ECFA through a referendum, only to see it rejected again by the government's committee for not conforming to the law. The result exasperated former president Lee Teng-hui, the TSU's spiritual leader, who lamented that democracy has been lost in Taiwan.

Lee made a rare public appearance because the Taiwan Solidarity Unions second proposal of ECFA referendum was rejected. Lee believes that the democracy he had built for Taiwan in his 12 years term as the President had disappeared while criticizing the Ma administration not caring enough about the people because it would do whatever China tells it to do.

Lee believes that for Taiwan to gain its sovereignty, it is necessary to switch leader.

The Referendum Commission voted 10:2 against the TSU proposal for the proposal violated the article 4 of the first clause in 14th section of the Referendum law; in addition, many commissioners believe that the proposed referendum failed to qualify as something on a major issue.

However, the TSU insisted that its proposed referendum is the last protection against saving Taiwanese democracy as it is going to appeal for the third time or until it achieved its goal.

According to the Referendum review commission, it would review is as often as the TSU is willing to submit the proposal, based on the existing law and regulations, of course.