In the midst of a significant political recall movement, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has made a public stand alongside his fellow Kuomintang (KMT) legislators, demonstrating the party's resolve amid the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) ongoing recall efforts. During a press conference on March 21, 2025, Chiang stated unequivocally, "I will stand together with KMT legislators," signaling a united front as they prepare to face what many are describing as a tidal wave of opposition. The DPP has mobilized public and civic groups in their campaign to recall KMT lawmakers.
Chiang's pronouncement comes in light of the KMT's first policy briefing held in Hsinchu, where KMT Chairman Eric Chu criticized the DPP's recall tactics as unjustified. He remarked, "The DPP's push for a recall is essentially saying they want to redo last year's elections because they didn’t win enough. Is this kind of thing even heard of?" Chu's comments illustrate the growing tensions between the two parties as the political climate becomes increasingly fraught.
The challenges facing the KMT were further highlighted by their struggles during the initial stages of the recall process, which revealed a troubling statistic: in the first phase, the DPP achieved a staggering 35 to 0 advantage in recall signatures, mainly targeting KMT legislators concentrated in strongholds like Taipei and Taichung. This revelation shocked many supporters of the KMT, who lamented what they perceive as the party's inability to respond effectively to the DPP's aggressive strategies.
Amid these alarming developments, Mayor Chiang attended the 'Youth Workplace X Employment Fair' at the Yuanshan Expo Park on March 21, along with legislators Hsu Chiao-hsin, Lo Chih-chiang, Lee Yen-秀, Wang Hung-wei, and Lai Shih-bao. The presence of the five KMT legislators, who are currently under threat of recall, underscored the urgency of the moment. Chiang spoke highly of their contributions, stating, "The five legislators are very important to the Taipei City government and provide us with substantial support. Therefore, on various city policy issues, we are mutually supportive and fighting together."
When pressed on whether it was appropriate to attend a public event alongside embattled legislators, Chiang affirmed the importance of community engagement, emphasizing that the employment fair was an open event for everyone, regardless of their political alignment. He stated, "This job fair is open to the public; we welcome all citizens, whether from the city or other counties, regardless of age or district. Our schedule is entirely transparent, so anyone interested in city issues or young people's employment and career planning is very welcome to come. So regardless of party affiliation, we welcome all elected representatives who care about city governance to reach out or come here; we are very open to that."
As the KMT rallies its efforts against the recall initiative, Eric Chu further expressed concerns regarding the DPP's tactics, stating, "The DPP is using all means available, including judicial actions against KMT officials to suppress opposition, all in an effort to impose a single-party rule." He elaborated that currently, 14 recall cases have been submitted to the Central Election Commission, highlighting the vast resources the DPP is employing to push this initiative.
The KMT is also preparing for an extensive outreach campaign, with plans to conduct 100 policy briefings before the May 2025 elections. Chu underscored the party's commitment to addressing key concerns such as the recent 130 billion NTD (approximately 4.4 billion USD) budget increase and the implications of Premier Lai Ching-te's controversial declaration defining mainland China as a hostile entity. Chu declared, "The DPP's narrative is fundamentally flawed as they seek to sidestep responsibility and push for what they term 'democracy' while aiming to consolidate power and stifle dissent."
In a broader context, the KMT is grappling with issues surrounding social justice, particularly in high-profile cases of child abuse involving calls for the death penalty. This has ignited fierce debate, with Chu asserting that the DPP's stance against the death penalty poses a significant concern for society. He remarked, "It’s a major societal issue, especially when dealing with cases of malicious child abuse causing death; we cannot and will not accept that."
As the DPP intensifies its efforts and the KMT finds itself under a severe political siege, the reactions from various political actors are set to shape Taiwan's political landscape leading into the 2026 elections, where both parties will fiercely contest their visions for Taiwan’s future. The outcomes of these recall efforts may very well redefine the power dynamics in the years to come, making it a critical moment in Taiwanese politics.
With tensions mounting and strategies being employed on both sides, it remains to be seen how effectively the KMT can rally its base and counter the DPP's momentum.
