Kuomintang (KMT) legislators in China's Taiwan region secured a decisive victory on Saturday, thwarting a recall campaign led by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). All seven targeted KMT lawmakers retained their seats, marking the failure of all 32 recall motions initiated by the DPP this year. The results underscore deepening political divisions on the island as legislative dynamics remain a focal point of cross-strait discourse.
Ballot counting began at 4 p.m., with KMT legislators maintaining steady leads. By 6 p.m., local media confirmed their victories, dealing a blow to the DPP's efforts to consolidate power in the legislature. The DPP currently holds fewer than half of the 113 legislative seats, complicating its policy agenda.
This marks the second round of recall attempts by the DPP, following an earlier unsuccessful bid to unseat 24 KMT lawmakers and the mayor of Hsinchu. Analysts suggest the repeated failures highlight challenges in mobilizing public support for the DPP's strategies amid shifting voter priorities.
The outcomes may influence cross-strait relations, with the KMT historically advocating closer ties with the Chinese mainland. Observers note that the legislative stability could foster dialogue under the one-China principle, though tensions persist over the Taiwan region's political trajectory.
