Tsai will cast her vote this Saturday, expressing gratitude towards civic organizations for spearheading the recall effort.

Tsai will cast her vote this Saturday, expressing gratitude towards civic organizations for spearheading the recall effort.

In July 2025, a mass recall campaign was initiated in Taiwan, targeting 24 opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers and Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao. The aim was to reshape the composition of the Legislative Yuan where the KMT and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) currently hold a fragile majority over the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

The campaign, unprecedented in scale, was orchestrated by civil society groups and overtly supported by the DPP. It was a reflection of the deepening partisan divide in Taiwan’s politics, with the DPP framing the recalls as a check on the opposition’s dominance and a referendum on governance.

The Campaign's Failure

Despite high expectations and significant mobilization, the mass recall campaign failed to unseat a single KMT lawmaker. In every case, though some recall votes met the 25% participation threshold required to validate the referendum, the number of votes in favour of recall never surpassed those against, allowing all 24 targeted lawmakers to retain their seats.

The DPP has publicly acknowledged the failure of the campaign, framing it as a message to the opposition about voter sentiment in a divided government. The episode may temper future efforts to use recalls as a partisan weapon, though the upcoming August 23 votes will be watched closely for signs of shifting public sentiment.

The Role of Civil Groups and Political Leaders

The recall movement originated from civil society organizations, reflecting broader public frustration with legislative gridlock and partisan rivalry. However, the DPP’s overt backing transformed it into a high-profile partisan struggle, with both sides mobilizing their bases ahead of the vote.

Hsinchu Mayor Ann Kao, previously of the TPP, became a notable target after her suspension over fraud allegations and subsequent resignation from the TPP. Her inclusion in the recall effort highlights how personal scandals can intersect with broader political strategies in Taiwan’s charged environment.

Potential Foreign Interference

While Taiwan’s sensitive geopolitical position inevitably draws attention from external actors, there is no evidence of direct foreign interference in the recall campaign. However, international observers are analysing the implications of the recall votes for Taiwan’s domestic stability and cross-strait relations.

Going Forward

The failure of the mass recall campaign signals the limits of using direct democracy as a tool for major legislative change in Taiwan’s current political climate. It may also temper future efforts to use recalls as a partisan weapon.

For now, the KMT retains its legislative position, while the DPP faces questions about its strategy and connection with the electorate. The episode also highlights the vibrancy—and volatility—of Taiwan’s democracy, where civil society, political parties, and public opinion remain deeply intertwined.

Additional Reporting

Additional reporting was done by Lu Hsien-hsiu.

• The KMT plans to hold a rally against the recall vote tomorrow night on Ketagalan Boulevard in Taipei.
• Voters are advised to check the locations of the polling stations on the official recall website, Google maps, or at their district offices.
• Former president Tsai Ing-wen has announced that she will vote as a citizen in a mass recall campaign.
• 15,000 police officers and 6,000 volunteers will be mobilized to maintain order during the recall vote, as stated by the police.
• Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang announced that a special project is ongoing to probe vote-buying and prevent violence during the recall vote, involving the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, National Police Agency, CEC, and other investigative units.
• New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi stated that recalls should not be used as a political tool.
• The Central Election Commission has announced that 5,947 polling stations will be set up for the mass recall campaign.
• In the 24-hour period before 6am today, 48 Chinese military aircraft, nine navy ships, and one "official" ship were detected around Taiwan, with 36 of the aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entering Taiwan's air defense identification zones. The Ministry of National Defense closely monitored the situation and deployed combat air patrol aircraft, coastal missile systems, and navy vessels in response.
• Democratic Progressive Party caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu warned about tactics used by China, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), and the Taiwan People's Party, including cognitive warfare, shifting focus, attacking political enemies, and creating conflict with threats.
• This is the first time that so many civil groups are advocating for a "vote of no confidence" in the nation's lawmakers. The recall campaign is being seen as a review of the Legislative Yuan's performance over the past year.

1. Despite the failure of the mass recall campaign, civil society groups intend to hold a rally against it tomorrow night on Ketagalan Boulevard in Taipei.
2. Voters are encouraged to check the locations of the polling stations on the official recall website, Google maps, or at their district offices.
3. Former president Tsai Ing-wen has announced her intention to vote as a citizen in the mass recall campaign.
4. Over 15,000 police officers and 6,000 volunteers will be mobilized to maintain order during the recall vote, as stated by the police.
5. Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang announced a special project ongoing to probe vote-buying and prevent violence during the recall vote, involving various investigative units.
6. New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi emphasized that recalls should not be used as a political tool.
7. The Central Election Commission has announced that 5,947 polling stations will be set up for the mass recall campaign.
8. In the 24-hour period before 6am today, 48 Chinese military aircraft, nine navy ships, and one "official" ship were detected around Taiwan.
9. The Ministry of National Defense closely monitored the situation and deployed combat air patrol aircraft, coastal missile systems, and navy vessels in response.
10. Democratic Progressive Party caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu warned about tactics used by China, the KMT, and the Taiwan People's Party, including cognitive warfare, shifting focus, attacking political enemies, and creating conflict with threats.
11. This is the first time so many civil groups are advocating for a "vote of no confidence" in the nation's lawmakers.
12. The recall campaign is being seen as a review of the Legislative Yuan's performance over the past year.
13. The recent failure of the mass recall campaign highlights the limits of using direct democracy as a tool for major legislative change in Taiwan’s current political climate.
14. The upcoming August 23 votes will be watched closely for signs of shifting public sentiment.
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