International Analysis

China Celebrates as 24 Lawmakers Survive Taiwan's 'Great Recall'

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By TaiwanPlus

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Host: Yin Khvat On July 26, Taiwanese voters went to the polls to vote on whether to recall 24 opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers. Dubbed the “Great Recall” in local media, it was launched by independent civic groups who argued that the targeted lawmakers were helping China and undermining Taiwan’s democracy by grabbing power away from the courts and the executive branch. The run-up to the vote was marked by heated debate, claims of fraudulent signatures, and strong public engagement by supporters of both parties. The result had the potential to shift control of the legislature from the KMT to President Lai Ching-te's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). In the end, however, the wave was not even a ripple. All of the July 26 votes fell short. What happened? And what does it mean for Taiwan’s democracy? In today’s episode, we discuss the recall campaign, the winners and losers, and China’s reaction. Our guests: Hwang Kwei-bo - National Chengchi University Department of Diplomacy Professor - Former Kuomintang Deputy Secretary-General Vincent Chao - Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City Councilor - Former Political Head of TECRO, Taiwan’s De Facto Embassy in Washington, D.C. Tseng Yueh-ying - Taiwanese Politics Commentator - 'Translation Matters' Facebook Page Administrator