Taiwan held an unprecedented vote, known as the “Great Recall”, on Saturday aimed at ousting politicians accused of being too close to China. The early results show that all pro-China politicians have retained their seats.
The opposition Kuomintang and its allies dominated the 24 districts where voters decided whether to kick out their legislators with a simple yes or no question. However, in every district, a majority of voters chose not to recall, meaning none of the lawmakers had to vacate their seats.
This maintains the opposition’s slim majority in the legislature. A second round of recall voting will be held in August for seven other seats. Analysts warn that if the Great Recall fails, it could intensify political polarization and embolden politicians to ignore opposition.
The movement began after elections in January 2024, where the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the presidency but gave the opposition a majority in the parliament. The Kuomintang worked with other parties to block DPP bills, sparking protests and accusations of Beijing’s influence. A group of lawmakers visited China last year, fueling suspicion that they were being pushed by Beijing.
Civic groups launched petitions to oust pro-China lawmakers, while supporters retaliated against DPP lawmakers. The recall vote received preliminary support from 31 lawmakers’ seats, all held by the Kuomintang. Voter turnout was crucial, and each district’s seat can only be vacated if the majority of votes approve the recall.
The Democratic Progressive Party initially distanced itself from the movement but eventually showed its support. Beijing has also intervened, accusing DPP leader William Lai of “dictatorship under democracy” and criticizing his handling of opposition. The Great Recall has deeply divided Taiwanese society, with both pro-recall and anti-recall activists claiming to fight for democracy.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn8185e19l4o