An unprecedented attempt to unseat 24 opposition politicians in Taiwan, branded as 'pro-China', has failed after voters in all targeted constituencies rejected the recall motions. The effort, backed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), aimed to flip six seats and secure a legislative majority for President Lai Ching-te.
Polls opened on Saturday for the first 24 of 31 electorates, all held by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT). Under Taiwan's recall laws, a seat is vacated only if the number of votes in favour exceeds 25% of the electorate and outnumbers those against. By 7pm local time, the central election commission confirmed all 24 votes had failed to pass.
The recall campaign was born from mass protests against KMT obstruction of DPP bills, including defence budgets and constitutional court appointments. The KMT, which along with a smaller party has controlled Taiwan's parliament since last year's election, praised the result as a decisive rejection of DPP efforts to 'overturn' an election.
President Lai urged acceptance of the outcome, calling it a demonstration of democracy rather than a victory for one party. The KMT cautioned against interpreting the result as a signal on cross-Strait or foreign policy, while analysts warned the campaign had deepened divisions in Taiwan and raised questions about the DPP's use of China's threat in local campaigning.
