Taiwan holds recall votes for 24 opposition lawmakers

Taipei (dpa) — Taiwan’s citizens started voting on Saturday morning in an unprecedented mass recall targeting 24 opposition lawmakers from a China-friendly party, with results expected later in the day.

Voters across nine cities and counties went to the polls to decide whether to remove the 24 lawmakers from the China-friendly Chinese Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT).

Premier Cho Jung-tai cast his ballot early at a polling station in the Neihu district of the capital Taipei, emphasizing the importance of exercising this constitutional right. “I hope our fellow countrymen can also cherish this right,” he told reporters, according to the Central News Agency.

The recall votes, initiated by civic groups and backed by the ruling independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), aim to weaken the opposition’s hold in the legislature and counter rising pro-China influence in Taiwanese politics.

Some KMT lawmakers are accused of meeting Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials or echoing Beijing’s views on key issues.

This recall effort occurs amid a deepening political deadlock. Although Lai Ching-te won the presidency in early 2024, the DPP held only 51 of 113 legislative seats. The KMT controlled 52 seats, the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) had eight, and two independents aligned with the KMT brought the opposition’s majority to 62 seats.

Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature has caused gridlock amid rising pressure from China. The opposition majority has bypassed procedures to alter legislative powers and cut billions from the 2025 budget — including from defence, culture and key agencies — drawing criticism for potentially favouring China and weakening Taiwan’s government.