On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Taiwan found itself at a political and energy crossroads as voters headed to the polls to decide two deeply consequential questions: whether to recall seven opposition Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers and whether to restart operations at the Maanshan nuclear power plant in southern Pingtung County. The day’s events—unfolding in polling stations across the island—marked the second round of high-stakes recall efforts and a pivotal referendum on the future of nuclear energy in Taiwan, just three months after the nation’s last operating reactor was shut down.
Polls opened at 8 a.m., with voters reminded by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to bring their national identification cards, personal seals, and election notifications. Strict rules barred the use of mobile phones and cameras inside polling stations, with violators facing stiff fines. Voting was set to continue until 4 p.m., after which ballot counting would begin immediately, according to Central News Agency (CNA).
The recall drive targeted seven KMT lawmakers: Lo Ming-tsai from New Taipei City, Lin Szu-ming from Hsinchu County, Johnny Chiang, Yen Kuan-heng, and Yang Chiung-ying from Taichung City, and Ma Wen-chun and Yu Hao from Nantou County. Johnny Chiang currently serves as deputy legislative speaker—a sign of the high profile of those in the recall crosshairs. This effort followed a failed first round on July 26, 2025, when 24 KMT legislators survived similar recall attempts. Civil groups and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have characterized these campaigns as a way to restore the DPP’s legislative majority, which slipped from their grasp in the 2024 elections.
To understand the stakes, it’s worth recalling the dramatic results of the 2024 election. Lai Ching-te, representing the DPP, secured the presidency with 40% of the vote. Yet, in the 113-seat Legislative Yuan, neither the DPP nor the KMT emerged with a clear majority. The KMT ended up with 52 seats, just one ahead of the DPP. The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), another opposition force, captured eight seats, while two independents aligned themselves with the KMT. The KMT’s Han Kuo-yu was elected legislative speaker, and the KMT quickly began working closely with the TPP to pass legislation—most notably, a controversial cut to the central government’s proposed budget, which drew the ire of the DPP.
Amid this legislative gridlock, the DPP’s inability to push through its agenda has been a source of frustration. The recall campaigns, spearheaded by civil groups and backed by the DPP, are seen as an attempt to shift the balance of power. According to CNA, the DPP government and its allies have framed the recall as a defense against perceived encroachment by the Chinese Communist Party, while the KMT has dismissed the recalls as destabilizing and unnecessary. After the July recall efforts fizzled, the DPP described the outcome as a sign of civic engagement rather than a partisan defeat, while the KMT hailed it as "a big victory for Taiwan's people," arguing that voters had chosen stability over political gamesmanship.
Under Taiwan’s Public Officials Election and Recall Act, a recall is only successful if the number of “yes” votes exceeds “no” votes and if those in favor surpass 25% of eligible voters in the district. Should a lawmaker be removed, a by-election must be held within three months of the official announcement. The process is designed to ensure that only significant public support can trigger such major political changes.
Running parallel to the recall votes was the nationwide referendum on the Maanshan nuclear power plant, a facility that had been in operation for 40 years before its shutdown in May 2025. The DPP has long championed a "nuclear-free homeland," phasing out nuclear power that once supplied about 20% of the island’s electricity. However, the TPP, with KMT backing, pushed for a referendum on whether to resume operations at the plant, arguing that nuclear power is essential for Taiwan’s energy stability and economic competitiveness.
The referendum itself posed a clear question: Should the Maanshan plant, located near Taiwan’s seismically active southern tip, be restarted if regulators deem it safe? For the measure to pass, “yes” votes must not only outnumber “no” votes but also represent at least 25% of all eligible voters—a minimum of over five million people, according to Taiwan News.
Supporters of nuclear power have cited both economic and technological imperatives. With artificial intelligence (AI) applications driving up demand for reliable, affordable electricity, some see nuclear as the only viable option. Jensen Huang, the Taiwan-born founder of Nvidia, threw his weight behind the pro-nuclear camp during a visit to Taipei on August 22, 2025. Speaking to reporters, Huang said, “There’s excellent technologies for sustainable energy — solar and wind. And nuclear is an excellent option.” He emphasized the need to consider all options to meet AI’s vast energy needs. Notably, Nvidia announced in May a partnership with Foxconn to build an AI supercomputer for Taiwanese researchers and companies, underscoring the urgency of the energy debate.
Yet, not everyone is convinced. Residents in Pingtung County, where the Maanshan plant is located, have staged protests against restarting the reactor. Their concerns center on the plant’s proximity to a seismic fault line, a sobering risk given Taiwan’s frequent and sometimes devastating earthquakes. Opponents argue that aging infrastructure and the island’s geological volatility make nuclear power a dangerous gamble. As one local activist put it, "We live with the constant threat of earthquakes. Restarting this plant puts our safety at risk every single day." This sentiment, widely echoed in local media, highlights the deep divisions within Taiwanese society over the nuclear issue.
The broader political context is just as fraught. The KMT and TPP’s alliance has enabled the passage of several opposition-backed bills, much to the DPP’s frustration. The DPP’s efforts to regain its legislative majority through mass recall campaigns reflect a high-stakes gamble, one that could reshape the island’s political landscape if successful. Yet, after the first round of recalls failed, the odds of overturning the current balance seem slim—at least for now.
As the ballots are counted and the results awaited, Taiwan’s future direction on both political and energy fronts hangs in the balance. The outcome will not only determine the makeup of the legislature but also set the tone for how Taiwan tackles its energy needs in an era of rapid technological change and persistent environmental risks.
Saturday’s votes, more than just a test of party strength or policy preference, have become a referendum on Taiwan’s identity: a nation striving to balance progress, safety, and democracy under the watchful eyes of its citizens and the world.
