Taiwan’s opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), faces a significant crisis as nearly two-thirds of its legislators face the risk of losing their seats in what is being termed the largest referendum vote of its kind in Taiwanese history. The referendum, occurring in 31 districts across Taiwan, will allow voters to decide whether they want to retain or remove their current members of parliament.
Dubbed the “Great Recall,” this event has the potential to dramatically change the KMT’s standing in Taiwan’s legislature, possibly preventing it from maintaining its majority coalition and affecting President William Lai Ching-te’s ability to act on critical issues, such as defense spending.
The recall election is scheduled to take place in two phases. The first round, on Saturday, will include recall votes for 24 KMT legislators, followed by a second round in late August for an additional 7 KMT legislators. The process is a result of petition campaigns earlier in the year, requiring 10% of a district’s registered voters’ signatures to initiate the recall vote. For the recall to be successful, 25% of registered voters in each district must participate, with more votes in favor than against.
Should the recall be successful, a by-election must be held within three months. The KMT, traditionally strong in the northern regions, including around Taipei, is facing a challenge that spans the entire country. With 52 out of 113 seats in the legislature, the KMT, along with the Taiwan People’s Party and two independent legislators, holds a 62-seat majority coalition. This majority has been crucial in stalling the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which holds 51 seats, and has limited President Lai’s agenda during his first year in office.
Experts suggest that while Taiwan typically sees high voter turnout in major elections, the outcome of recall votes is much less predictable. The momentum of the recall campaign and the mobilization of the general public could play a significant role in its success.
A KMT member and former spokesperson, Ho Chih-yung, pointed out that the weather, with a tropical storm passing north of Taiwan, could influence voter turnout, possibly deterring the party’s older voter base.
The vote’s international implications are significant as it could determine whether President Lai will be a “lame-duck” president for the next three years and his ability to enact key defense and foreign policy initiatives. Taiwan’s political status and the threat of conflict with China make the outcome of the recall vote a matter of global interest.
Supporters of the recall movement have accused the KMT of expanding legislative powers and targeting President Lai’s budget, moves that angered voters and alienated traditional supporters. The KMT, on the other hand, claims the recall supporters are misusing a system intended to remove individuals, especially those suspected of corruption.
The economic stress caused by the potential tariffs by the United States and the rising cost of living has also been suggested as a reason behind the recall movement. Despite its success in the last election and a generational divide over Taiwan’s relationship with China, the KMT faces a significant challenge in maintaining its position in Taiwanese politics.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/25/why-is-taiwan-holding-a-great-recall-vote?traffic_source=rss
