Taiwan's opposition protests ahead of start of recall votes

24 KMT lawmakers could lose seats on July 26; seven others face same fate on Aug 23

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TAIPEI - Taiwan's main opposition will protest on July 25, ahead of unprecedented recall elections targeting its lawmakers that could tip the balance of power to President Lai Ching-te's party.

Supporters of Mr Lai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are seeking to unseat 31 Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers who they accuse of being pro-China and a threat to national security.

The KMT, which advocates closer ties with Beijing, controls Parliament with the help of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) and has slammed the recall effort as undermining the self-ruled island's democracy.

Two dozen KMT lawmakers could lose their seats on July 26, in a legal process that allows the public to oust elected officials before the end of their term.

Another seven face recall elections on Aug 23.

Started by civic groups in 2025, the recall campaigns have dominated Taiwanese politics, newspaper headlines and social media feeds for months.

The DPP lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections that swept Mr Lai, who is detested by Beijing, to the presidency.

Since then, the KMT and TPP have joined forces to stymie Mr Lai's agenda and cut the government's budget.

A series of opposition Bills, including reforms expanding Parliament's powers, sparked brawls in the legislature and massive street protests in 2024.

The DPP needs a minimum of 12 KMT lawmakers to be recalled to give it a "short-lived legislative majority", risk analysis firm Eurasia Group said, giving that outcome "a 60 per cent probability".

Mr Lai's party would then need to flip six seats in by-elections later in 2025, to secure control of the 113-seat Parliament, which Eurasia Group said would be an "uphill climb".