Taiwanese voters have overwhelmingly rejected an attempt to recall 24 opposition lawmakers from the Kuomintang (KMT) party, dealing a significant blow to President Lai Ching-te’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its hopes of gaining control of the parliament. The recall votes were rejected, with all 24 KMT lawmakers retaining their seats.
The recall election, dubbed the “Great Recall,” was initiated by civic groups backed by the DPP, which accused the KMT lawmakers of being pro-China and a threat to Taiwan’s democracy. The KMT, which advocates for closer ties with Beijing, controls the parliament with the help of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) and has slammed the recall effort as a DPP power grab. The election was closely watched by China, which has been ramping up its military and diplomatic pressure campaign against Taiwan.
KMT chairman Eric Chu hailed the results, saying, “Let this political farce end here. No one can lose an election and then engage in a vicious recall.” He called on Lai to “sincerely apologise” and “stop thinking about political infighting”. DPP Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang said the party “humbly” accepts the results, insisting the election could not be “reduced to victory or defeat between political parties”. Lin added that the DPP would “reflect more prudently on the society’s response”.
The DPP needed to unseat a minimum of 12 KMT lawmakers to gain temporary control of parliament, but the outcome seems unlikely to change the current political landscape. Another recall election for seven KMT lawmakers will be held on August 23. The results of this election will be closely watched, as they may further impact the balance of power in Taiwan’s parliament.
The heated recall election was closely watched by China, whose Taiwan Affairs Office and state media repeatedly commented on and used the KMT’s talking points to lambaste Lai. Taipei said Beijing was “clearly” trying to interfere in the vote, and it was up to the Taiwanese people to decide who should be removed or stay in office. The KMT’s ties with Beijing and frequent visits by its lawmakers to China have raised concerns among critics about Chinese influence on the party.