Opposition-led Protests Grip Taiwan, Calling President a ‘Dictator’

Tens of thousands of opposition protesters took to the streets of Taiwan’s capital over the weekend against President Lai Ching-te, accusing his administration of authoritarianism amid rising political tensions over a recall campaign targeting opposition lawmakers, the South China Morning Post reported. 

On Saturday, protesters waving the country’s flags and banners marched in front of the president’s office in Taipei, voicing frustration with Lai’s administration. 

The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party claimed more than 200,000 people attended, while police estimated the crowd at around 60,000.  

KMT leaders accused the president of being a “dictator” who was attempting to “eliminate opposition parties,” adding that he hasn’t done “anything but fight” since taking office a year ago.  

The opposition said Saturday’s demonstrations were “just the beginning,” hinting at further rallies. 

The protest came amid rising political tensions on the island as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) – in power since 2016 – has supported a campaign that threatens to recall 34 KMT lawmakers. 

Under Taiwan’s electoral rules, recall initiatives require signatures from one percent of eligible voters to begin the process and 10 percent to force a vote, according to Turkey’s state-affiliated Anadolu Agency. In Taiwan, analysts say it has often been wielded in the service of “partisan revenge politics.”  

Opposition parties – despite controlling the legislature – condemned the campaign as a politically motivated attack on election results, while government supporters framed it as a lawful democratic mechanism. 

On Sunday, Lai addressed Saturday’s demonstrations, saying the rally showed Taiwan’s democratic vibrancy, Taipei Times noted. 

However, he urged opposition leaders to confront “real dictatorships” in Beijing instead of undermining Taiwan’s democratic institutions. He added that Taiwanese of all parties should unite to defend the nation’s sovereignty and democratic values against threats from China.