Taipei: Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) have called on the public to cast a “no” vote in the upcoming recall elections involving 24 KMT lawmakers, saying it is necessary to oppose one-party dominance by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

According to Focus Taiwan, the KMT legislative caucus urged those who support the KMT, democracy, and the rule of law to vote against the recalls, emphasizing that such action would “save Taiwan” and protect the country’s democracy and judicial independence. The statement followed an announcement by the Central Election Commission (CEC) that recall votes will be held on July 26 for 24 KMT lawmakers and suspended Hsinchu Mayor Ann, a former member of the smaller opposition TPP.

The lawmakers facing recall include KMT legislative caucus whip Fu Kun-chi and several others from Taipei and across Taiwan. The KMT, holding 52 seats in the 113-seat Legislature, forms a majority bloc with the TPP, which holds eight seats. The DPP holds 51 seats.

At an “anti-recall” event in Taipei, KMT Chairman Eric Chu stated that his party will employ a “regional joint defense” strategy to mobilize support for KMT lawmakers and coordinate with local governments led by KMT mayors. Chu noted the lack of central government resources compared to the DPP and emphasized the importance of unity among KMT members. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen was asked to support KMT lawmakers facing recalls by visiting different parts of Taiwan.

TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang also called for a “no” vote in the recall elections, arguing that it would reject political infighting and serve as a vote of no confidence in President Lai Ching-te from the DPP. Huang criticized the DPP for initiating the recall campaign as a political struggle after their legislative election defeat on January 13, 2024, aiming for a return to one-party rule.

The recall campaign, supported by civil society groups and the DPP, seeks to unseat nearly all KMT lawmakers directly elected to Taiwan’s Legislature last year. Although some recall efforts failed to gather sufficient citizen support signatures, the drive remains a significant political maneuver.

While KMT lawmakers are targeted, TPP legislators are shielded from recall under Taiwan’s Public Officials Election and Recall Act due to holding at-large seats, which are allocated based on party-list votes rather than district-based elections.