Why did the recall fail, and how can the DPP do better in the future?
This is a part of our continued coverage of Taiwan’s Great Recall. On July 26th, the people of Taiwan voted on whether or not to recall 24 Kuomintang KMT legislators from all across the island. None of the 24 KMT legislators were recalled. This was a blow to the Democratic Progressive Party that could have benefited from a rebalancing of the legislative yuan since it only has 51 of the 113 seats in the legislative yuan or congress.
Among the concerns that motivated these civil society recall groups to take action were the unchecked visits of KMT legislators with high level officials in China. In April of 2024 KMT caucus convener Fu Kun-chi led a delegation of 17 KMT legislators to China where they met with the head of China’s United Front. When asked the delegation has not been transparent about what was discussed in the meetings with Chinese officials.
Two days after the recall vote, on July 28th , I sat down with Jiho Chang, Keelung City Councilor who shared how he faced a retaliatory recall by the KMT. He discussed his thoughts on the outcome of the July 26th recall vote and what this means for the DPP.
On August 23 another 7 KMT legislators will be put up for a recall vote.
Related Links:
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Progressive_Party
Kuomintang (KMT): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuomintang
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan_People%27s_Party
Ko Wen-je: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko_Wen-je
Legislative Yuan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Yuan
President Lai Ching-te: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lai_Ching-te
Taiwan’s ex-presidential candidate charged with corruption: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd48v87md1o
Taiwan’s presidential hopeful Ko charged with bribery, misusing donations: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/26/taiwans-presidential-hopeful-ko-charged-with-bribery-misusing-donations
High Court upholds Ko Wen-je’s detention in ongoing corruption trial: https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202506120022
The Great Recall Movement in Taiwan: A Historic Unprecedented Boots on the Ground Exercise in Democracy Ep 316: https://talkingtaiwan.com/the-great-recall-movement-effort-in-taiwan-boots-on-the-ground-ep-316/
The Great Recall Explained by Courtney Donovan Smith Ep 317: https://talkingtaiwan.com/the-great-recall-explained-by-courtney-donovan-smith-ep-317/
First Day in Taiwan, Day Before The Great Recall Ep 320: https://talkingtaiwan.com/first-day-in-taipei-day-before-the-great-recall-ep-320/
Day After Recall Analysis with Dr. Linda Gail Arrigo Ep 322: https://talkingtaiwan.com/day-after-recall-analysis-with-dr-linda-gail-arrigo-ep-322/
Jiho Chang: City Councilman Talks About his Career in Taiwan Politics Ep 149
Jiho Chang: City Councilman Talks About his Career in Taiwan Politics Ep 149: https://talkingtaiwan.com/jiho-chang-his-career-in-taiwan-politics-ep-149/
Remembering Su Beng Taiwanese Revolutionary with Jiho Chang Ep 156
Remembering Su Beng Taiwanese Revolutionary with Jiho Chang Ep 156: https://talkingtaiwan.com/remembering-su-beng-taiwanese-revolutionary-with-jiho-chang-ep-156/
Reliving the Sunflower Movement from Ground Zero: Jiho Chang Tells the Inside Story Ep 174
Reliving the Sunflower Movement from Ground Zero: Jiho Chang Tells the Inside Story Ep 174: https://talkingtaiwan.com/reliving-the-sunflower-movement-from-ground-zero-jiho-chang-tells-the-inside-story-ep-174/
Jiho Chang: His Thoughts about New Speaker Legislative Yuan and Taiwan’s Vice President-elect Ep 275
Jiho Chang: His Thoughts about New Speaker Legislative Yuan and Taiwan’s Vice President-elect Ep 275: https://talkingtaiwan.com/jiho-chang-his-thoughts-about-new-speaker-legislative-yuan-and-taians-vice-president-elect-ep-275/