Taiwan Holds Historic Recall Vote Targeting Pro-China Opposition

Twenty-four Taiwanese opposition lawmakers will face a recall election this weekend in a vote that could reshape Taiwan’s legislature amid growing concerns over Chinese influence, Reuters reported. 

The recall vote – the largest ever in the island nation – is targeting members of the opposition Kuomintang Party (KMT), which has faced criticism over its ties to China. A second round of votes involving seven more KMT lawmakers is scheduled for Aug. 23. 

Recall votes are a constitutional right in Taiwan and can only be initiated against a lawmaker after his or her first year in office. To initiate such an action, more than 10 percent of registered voters in a constituency must sign a petition for a recall vote. 

Saturday’s recall vote follows last year’s general elections that saw Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) win the presidency.  

However, the DPP lost its majority in parliament, securing only 51 of the 113 seats in the legislature. The KMT and its allies have 62 seats in total, allowing them to block spending, cut budgets, and pass measures intended to weaken Lai’s ability to govern. 

Civic groups pushed for the recall against the KMT lawmakers, claiming that the party is undermining Taiwan’s national interests, such as cutting defense spending to counter any potential Chinese invasion. 

The opposition party has rejected the allegations, insisting that their China outreach is pragmatic because Beijing refuses to engage with Lai’s administration.  

The KMT labeled Saturday’s vote as “malicious recall” and accused the DPP of “dictatorship.” 

Chinese officials, meanwhile, have accused Lai and his party of “engaging in dictatorship under the guise of democracy” and “using every means possible to suppress the opposition.” 

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has increased military and diplomatic pressure on the neighboring island in recent years, the Guardian noted. 

Analysts said a by-election will take place in three months if the KMT legislators lose their seats in Saturday’s vote. The KMT can run again in the upcoming vote and win back its lost seats. 

Even so, the DPP could regain its majority after Saturday’s vote.