Taiwan goes to the polls in its largest recall vote after accusations of weakened national security

ABC NEWS (Australia)

More than two dozen opposition lawmakers are facing possible removal from parliament, accused of being too close to China and weakening Taiwan’s national security. The opposition has called the campaign malicious, saying it’s only been acting in its role to supervise the government and tackle real problems.

Transcript

00:00This is the culmination of more than a year of political chaos here in Taiwan,

00:07and this recall movement has really galvanised the public.

00:11There are thousands here at this rally in central Taipei campaigning against the recalls,

00:18but only a few streets over. There are thousands more rallying in favour.

00:23Now, while Taiwan only 18 months ago elected a pro-sovereignty president, Hinlai Qingda,

00:30his Democratic Progressive Party does not control the legislature.

00:34The majority in the parliament is held by the main opposition party, the Kuomintang,

00:38in alliance with a minor party.

00:41Now, the Kuomintang, or the KMT, advocate for closer ties and more dialogue with Beijing,

00:47and critics argue that they've used their parliamentary majority to block the president's agenda.

00:52And that's impacted everything from government budgets to military programs and funding,

00:57through to the operation of Taiwan's top court, which has been paralysed now for months.

01:03Now, the KMT did try and launch a series of recalls against DPP, a ruling party, politicians,

01:10but those failed.

01:12This has really heightened the deep political divisions that already exist in Taiwan,

01:17and the rhetoric has been vitriolic.

01:20The chairman of the KMT, he referred to the president as a dictator and likened him to Hitler,

01:29while the main backer of the recall movement, a semiconductor giant here in Taiwan named Robert

01:36Cao, has referred to the KMT as China's Trojan horse in Taiwan.

01:42This is an unfair vote. The government is using its power and judicial means to manipulate this recall.

01:50The legislators facing recall haven't done anything wrong.

01:53They are all highly responsible and capable.

01:55The opposition even froze the national defence budget. As everyone knows, cross-strait tensions are quite high right now.

02:06And actions like these are essentially weakening our defence.

02:10Votes will be cast today on 24 out of 31 KMT legislators who are up for recall.

02:19The remaining seven will be voted on next month.

02:22Now, if any of the recalls are successful, by-elections have to be held within three months

02:27and the ruling party only needs to gain six more seats in the parliament to secure the majority.

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