The vote began with a recall election, where dozens of opposition MPs can be seen leaving office.
A poll was opened in Taiwan’s high stakes recall elections in Taiwan, giving control of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Congress, sending out what his supporters described as a strong responsibilities to China.
Polls on whether it remind you of a fifth of the island’s parliament on Saturday have been accused by critics of all from the opposition in Kuo Mintan (KMT) as an attack on democracy. However, the Taiwanese government has also denounced China for “unprecedented” interference in the island’s democratic process.
The polling station opened at 8am local time (00:00 GMT), with 24 Quo Mingtan (KMT) lawmakers facing a potential recall. Another 7 kmt of MPs will be recalled elections will be held on August 23rd.
The LAI President’s DPP will need to lift a minimum of 12 kmt of lawmakers to gain temporary control of Congress, and risk analysis firm Eurasia Group has given the results “60% chance.”
Lai’s party will need to flip six seats in the by-election following the recall vote to solidify its control of Taiwan’s 113-seat parliament later this year.
The DPP and KMT held rain-soaked rally, ranging from months to critical votes that dominated Taiwan’s politics, newspaper headlines and social media feeds.
LAI won last year’s presidential election, but the DPP lost its legislative majority. It has since allowed opposition to bend legislative muscles to pass legislative laws to imposing government budget cuts and complicate efforts, particularly to boost defence spending.
Taiwan is trying to increase its military budget amid threats from China, and the island is taking into account some of its territory.
The domestic political drama comes when China strengthens its military and diplomatic pressure campaign against Taiwan to assert territorial claims against the islands that Lai and his government reject.
Lai has offered consultations with China many times, but was rejected by Beijing. This calls him a “separatist.”
The enthusiastic recall campaign was viewed closely by China. Its Taiwan Issues Office and Chinese state media have repeatedly commented on the topic of KMT on Lambasterai, and used it further.
Taypi said this week that Beijing was “clear” to intervene in the vote, but it was up to Taiwanese people to decide who should retire or take office.
Those who support the recall vote accused KMT of selling out Taiwan by supporting defense spending and sending lawmakers to China without causing confusion in Congress.
KMT, which is more reconciliated for China, rejected these accusations and denounced Lai’s “dictatorship” and “green terrorism.”
Voting will close at 4pm local time (08:00 GMT), with results to be revealed late in the evening.
