Dozens of MPs voted out: China interferes unprecedentedly in Taiwan's vote

Dozens of MPs voted out. China intervenes unprecedentedly in the vote in Taiwan. 26.07.2025, 10:59 a.m.

Taiwan is facing a political crunch. Voters will decide on the allocation of 24 parliamentary seats currently held by the pro-China opposition Kuomintang party. Supporters of the vote hope to send a message to China.

In Taiwan, a vote has begun to recall dozens of lawmakers, potentially giving President Lai Ching-te's party a majority in parliament. Voters will decide on the allocation of 24 seats currently held by the pro-China opposition Kuomintang (KMT).

Another election is planned for August 23, which will decide seven seats held by the KMT. Supporters of the vote want to send a message to China, while opponents call it an attack on democracy. The government in Taipei has accused China of "unprecedented" interference in the vote.

The initiative to recall the representatives came from citizens' initiatives supported by the presidential Democratic People's Party (DPP). According to Taiwanese electoral law, these initiatives can force new elections in a constituency during a legislative period by collecting signatures.

Danger from China

President Lai was elected in the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, but his anti-Beijing DPP lost its majority in parliament at that time. Since then, a coalition of the KMT and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has held the majority of the 113 seats and repeatedly blocked Lai's government's plans, such as parts of the budget.

By voting out the KMT representatives, the government could now secure a majority and reverse the budget cuts, which affect, among other things, military spending. However, recall requires not only a majority of votes in a constituency, but also a quorum of 25 percent of eligible voters.

The opposition has protested massively against the recall initiative. The KMT and TPP accuse the DPP of seeking to undermine Taiwanese democracy. Former President Ma Ying-jeou of the KMT called for the current President Lai to be punished in the vote at a protest rally in Taipei on Friday evening.

Security risk for the island?

The DPP, on the other hand, accuses the KMT of pursuing a pro-Beijing stance and describes the party and the lawmakers targeted by the recall initiative as a security threat to the island. Taiwan has feared a Chinese military offensive for years.

China views democratic and self-governing Taiwan as a breakaway province that seeks to be reunified with the mainland by military force if necessary. In recent years, Beijing has increased the number of Chinese fighter jets and warships around the island territory and has held several large-scale military exercises.