TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan People’s Party on Tuesday rejected a no-confidence vote proposal by Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安), while the Kuomintang left the option open during a joint opposition meeting.
KMT Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) and TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) met to discuss challenges stemming from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, what they described as judicial abuse by the government, and the ongoing recall campaign. In response to Chiang’s proposal to initiate a no-confidence vote as a referendum on President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), both leaders offered divergent views, per ETtoday.
Huang argued that Taiwan’s core challenges could not be resolved by replacing the Cabinet, as the real problem, in the opposition’s view, lies with Lai. He said the opposition should instead focus on using its current influence rather than triggering an early election that would benefit the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, per CNA.
Chu acknowledged Huang’s position and agreed that the vote of no confidence would not affect Lai directly. However, he insisted that all options should remain on the table in the pursuit of removing Lai from power.
On judicial reform, Huang proposed amending existing laws to allow livestreaming of court proceedings in major cases, per UDN. He also pledged his support and participation for the KMT’s planned Saturday protest on Ketagalan Boulevard, per TVBS.
Regarding economic issues, Chu proposed four key policies: expanding the current NT$88 billion (US$2.7 billion) relief package to NT$200 billion, enlarging Taiwan’s Financial Stabilization Fund, boosting domestic consumption by attracting international tourists, and diversifying Taiwan’s export markets, per CNA.
Huang introduced three proposals of his own: increasing public participation in politics, formally requesting the US to sign a Free Trade Agreement with Taiwan, and submitting an economic impact report—something he said the government has yet to provide.
When asked if the joint meeting signaled a truce between the two opposition parties, Huang emphasized that while differences remain, they must take responsibility as the ruling party has “dropped the ball.”
Chu echoed the sentiment, suggesting that KMT-TPP cooperation could extend to local levels, including collaboration between individual lawmakers.
Asked about Huang’s earlier invitation for Lai to attend Tuesday’s meeting, Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an (潘孟安) said Monday that Lai had prior commitments, a meeting with environmental groups in honor of Earth Day, per Newtalk.
The DPP issued sharp rebukes toward the opposition meeting, calling it a slanderous attack on the government disguised as cooperation, per CNA. DPP spokesperson Justin Wu (吳崢) emphasized that Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) had already submitted the NT$88 billion relief plan and presented an impact assessment during the morning legislative session.
Wu criticized the opposition for claiming the government was unresponsive to international pressures. He urged them to allow Taipower’s NT$100 billion subsidy package to pass to prevent electricity price hikes.
DPP Legislator Wang Yi-chuan (王義川) accused Huang of opposing the no-confidence vote to avoid jeopardizing TPP’s legislative seats.
