Taiwan's Mass Recall Movement Could Reshape Parliament

Upcoming round of votes to unseat KMT lawmakers may change balance of power

- Yip Wai Yee

TAIPEI - A small group of Taiwanese campaigners huddled together in a cramped office on a sweltering weekday afternoon in Taipei recently, packing goodie bags filled with tissues, stickers and handheld fans.

Printed on the items? Cute cartoon images alongside the words "Agree to recall".

The "recall" refers to a bid to prematurely unseat 24 lawmakers - all from the main opposition party in Taiwan, the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) - just 1½ years into their four-year terms.

"Taiwan's political scene is chaotic right now, but we have to do whatever we can for the future of our home," said Mr Roger Yang, spokesman for a group campaigning for the removal of Taipei lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin.

Taiwan is going through unprecedented political upheaval ahead of a mass recall vote on July 26 to oust two dozen KMT lawmakers. A separate recall vote for two more KMT lawmakers is scheduled on Aug 23. Together, they make up half of all KMT lawmakers.

Apart from Ms Hsu, some of the other legislators facing recalls include KMT caucus whip Fu Kun-chi, Taipei's Ms Wang Hung-wei and Keelung's Mr Lin Pei-hsiang.

The recall - a process that allows voters to legally remove lawmakers midway through their terms - means that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) may regain control of the legislature, where it has been unable to pass laws since a January 2024 election as it does not have a majority.

In the 113-seat Chamber, the opposition alliance commands a majority, with the KMT occupying 52 seats, and the smaller Taiwan People's Party eight. The DPP has 51 seats, while two more seats belong to independents who are ideologically aligned with the KMT.

Critics argue that the recall process undermines democracy and is a desperate power grab by the DPP, which has backed the recall bid.

But civil society groups behind the move say they are doing this to break the political deadlock and protect Taiwan's interests.