Taiwan holds controversial vote targeting 'pro-China' lawmakers

United News of India

2 days ago

Taipei, July 26 (UNI) Thousands of Taiwanese are heading to the polls in an unprecedented and
controversial vote aimed at ousting lawmakers accused of being too close to China.
More than 30 lawmakers have been targeted in the "dabamian", or Great Recall vote, initiated by a civic movement.
The vote has the potential to alter the balance of power in Taiwan, which has seen months of political deadlock between the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government and the legislature dominated by the opposition Kuomintang and its allies, reports BBC.
The issue has deeply divided Taiwanese society, which has seen large rallies and fierce debate. Both pro-recall and anti-recall activists claim to be fighting for Taiwan's democracy.
The movement around the recall vote began with elections in January 2024, when voters chose the DPP's William Lai as their president but gave the opposition the dominant presence in the parliamentary Legislative Yuan.
In the following months, the main opposition party Kuomintang worked together with the smaller Taiwan People's Party and independents to block DPP bills and pass controversial pieces of legislation.
These moves angered some Taiwanese, who saw these as attempts to stymie the DPP government while strengthening the opposition's parliamentary power.
In May 2024, thousands began holding protests in what became known as the Bluebird movement, partially
Many in the movement believe the opposition, led by the Kuomintang which is known for its relatively friendlier position on China, is being influenced by Beijing and secretly pushing China's agenda in Taiwan's legislature.
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