Voting has commenced in a crucial recall election that could lead to the removal of numerous opposition Kuomintang lawmakers.
Polling stations have opened in Taiwan’s high-stakes recall election that may empower President William Lai Ching-te’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to control parliament and deliver a significant rebuff to China.
Critics have condemned Saturday’s recall attempts, targeting one-fifth of the island’s parliament – all belonging to the major Kuomintang (KMT) opposition party – as a threat to democracy. In turn, Taiwan’s government accuses China of unmatched interference in the island’s democratic procedures.
With polling stations opening at 8 am local time (00:00 GMT), 24 KMT lawmakers are subject to potential recall, and another seven will face a recall election on August 23.
President Lai’s DPP requires the unseating of at least 12 KMT lawmakers to temporarily control parliament, with a 60 percent probability as per risk analysis firm Eurasia Group.
After the recall vote, Lai’s party must win six seats in by-elections later this year to solidify its dominance in Taiwan’s 113-seat parliament.
Rallies by both the DPP and KMT preceding the vote have dominated Taiwanese politics, headlines, and social media for months.
Despite Lai’s win in last year’s presidential election, the DPP lost its legislative majority, allowing the opposition KMT to influence legislative actions and budgets, complicating defense spending increases.
While Taiwan seeks to bolster its military budget, China views the island as part of its territory and has intensified military and diplomatic pressure.
Beijing has dismissed Lai’s offers for talks, labeling him a “separatist,” as the hostile recall campaign garners close attention from China.
Taipei asserts that Beijing is attempting to interfere in the vote and that it is the Taiwanese people’s decision who should remain or be removed from office.
Proponents of the recall election accuse the KMT of being soft on China, neglecting defense spending, and causing chaos in parliament.
The KMT, which is more conciliatory towards China, rejects these accusations and criticizes Lai’s “dictatorship” and “green terror,” referencing the DPP’s party color.
Polling will conclude at 4 pm local time (08:00 GMT), with results expected later in the evening.
