Taiwan today finds itself in the midst of a seminal recall election which may deeply alter the composition of its new legislature. On Saturday, voters will vote to remove from office 24 elected public servants from the rival opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT). This decision will have major consequences for President Lai Ching-te’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The closely contested election comes amid a historic polarizing period in Taiwan’s politics, especially as tensions in the Taiwan Strait have reached new heights in recent months.
Taipei officials have accused Beijing of trying to interfere in the election, calling it “unprecedented” election meddling. The Taiwanese government claims that Chinese interference targets its democracy and therefore is a direct threat to its democratic processes. The recall vote comes amid increasing Chinese military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan. It claims that the island is a part of its own territory.
Political Context and Implications
That recall election will prove whether the DPP can retake the legislative supermajority they lost last fall. Such an outcome will hardly be determinative of the party’s long-term fate. Newly-elected President Lai Ching-te, who successfully led Taiwan’s presidential election, has made several offers to Beijing to engage in dialogue. The Chinese government has rebuffed these overtures time and again.
Supporters of the recall initiative are determined to ensure that their voices are heard. They hope their actions will help signal a strong message to China of Taiwan’s commitment to self-governance. Opponents counter with equally fervent claims that the recall effort endangers deeply held democratic ideals. They worry that it would otherwise establish a harmful precedent for political speech in Taiwan.
Tseng, a 71-year-old frequent voter, expressed her frustration with the current political atmosphere. She added that some of those positive changes have come at a “costly” price for Taiwan. She added that she believes the government should “focus on improving the economy and social welfare” to better serve its citizens.
The Recall Vote Process
The upcoming recall election is historic in its own right, since so much of the parliament—one-fifth of its members—is facing removal. Voters have chosen to express their opinions on the need to oust these KMT politicians and start by-elections for their seats. As results are projected to start rolling in during the evening, this could prove to be a pivotal moment for Taiwan’s political future.
Increased tension in wake of this election, as more recall votes for seven other KMT politicians are set for August 23. This relentless and destructive targeting of opposition leaders speaks to Taiwan’s increasingly chaotic political drama, against a backdrop of rising external pressure from China.
Public Sentiment
As Taiwanese citizens go to vote, they are at a true crossroads. Significantly, the local election indicates an outlook of firmness against external coercion and pressure from Beijing—increasingly dangerous and severe today. For many voters, including Tseng, the stakes are high.
“costly” – a 71-year-old woman, whose surname was Tseng
