Taiwan’s ‘Great Recall’ Fails: Pro-China Lawmakers Survive in High-Stakes Vote

Taiwanese voters have overwhelmingly rejected an unprecedented attempt to recall about one-fifth of the island’s lawmakers, all from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, which is seen as more China-friendly. The recall campaign, backed by President Lai Ching-te’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), aimed to break the current legislative gridlock and shift power away from the opposition. The failed recall is a setback for the DPP and President Lai, who hoped to gain a legislative majority and reduce Chinese influence in Taiwan’s parliament. The vote has polarized Taiwanese society, sparked mass rallies, and drawn close attention from China, which was accused of trying to interfere in the process. Despite the controversy, the opposition KMT retains its majority, and the recall mechanism is now firmly established as a tool in Taiwan’s political culture.