Voters in Taiwan are casting ballots today on whether to recall one-fifth of the island’s parliament, all from the major opposition party. The move, supporters hope will send a message to China while opponents say is an assault on democracy. Taiwan’s government said the island’s largest-ever recall vote has faced unprecedented election interference by China, which claims the democratically governed island as its own, over Taiwan’s rejection.
The election could reshape the Taiwan legislature and present an opportunity for President Lai Ching-te’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to regain its majority. While Mr Lai won last year’s presidential election, the DPP lost its legislative majority. The opposition has flexed its muscles since then to pass laws the government has opposed and impose budget cuts, complicating efforts to boost defence spending in particular.
The political drama comes as China ramps up a military and diplomatic pressure campaign against Taiwan to assert the territorial claims that Lai and his government reject. Lai has offered talks with Beijing many times but been rebuffed by calling him a separatist.
