Taiwan launched a large-scale recall movement

Nineteen civil groups delivered boxes full of petitions to the Central Election Commission (CEC) on February 3, 2025.   These civil groups gathered in front of the entrance of CEC building in the morning.   The representatives from each group made the statement why they submitted petitions to recall 19 Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers.   The United Microelectronics Corp founder Robert Tsao summarized the civil movement as a “Holy War “.  Since KMT and TPP (Taiwan People’s Party) have been “arrogant” in pushing through controversial bills which would jeopardize the government’s daily functions, Tsao said the grassroots recall efforts are the true expression of the public’s will and it shows that the people are the masters of the nation.  “These are citizen groups acting independently, working at the grassroots level and going beyond partisan politics,” Tsao further said.  The most political observers were amazed at the wide spread response of citizens.  It was estimated that nine more groups would submitted the petition in week.  The CEC said it would conduct an initial review of the recall petitions and, if approved, forward them to local election committees for review.   There is a speculation that China instructs KMT and TPP to work together to undermine the ruling party’s (Democratic Progressive Party DPP) authority.  As pointed out by Tsao, China believes it can control Taiwan’s legislature by using money to buy off unscrupulous legislators, so it can subvert the country from within.   At a DPP news conference, caucus whip Ker Chien-ming said that the current legislative session would be a “recall vote session” because “both sides have launched large-scale recall votes.”  In addition, Tsao said the recall movement is a “holy war” to clear out Chinese collaborators.