TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — After the failure of the “Great Recall” effort to remove 24 Kuomintang lawmakers on Saturday, United Microelectronics Corp. founder Robert Tsao (曹興誠) urged the Democratic Progressive Party to take over next month's continued recall efforts.
A second round of legislative recall votes is set for Aug. 23, when seven more KMT lawmakers will face ballots. Tsao, a prominent pro-recall organizer, thanked proponents and volunteers for their efforts while criticizing the DPP for not doing more to boost turnout, per UDN.
Tsao acknowledged that recalling sitting lawmakers through a mass campaign was always going to be difficult. While the DPP has denied that the Great Recall represents a partisan struggle, Tsao called on the party to intensify efforts ahead of the August vote.
A minimum of six successful recalls is required to shift the balance of power in the Legislative Yuan before the next national election in 2028. With only seven KMT lawmakers left on the recall list, the DPP’s margin for success is slim.
Although Saturday’s outcome was not a victory, Tsao insisted the recall campaign was not a failure. “Aug. 23 is the last chance to remove the KMT majority,” he said, adding that the DPP’s “responsibility is heavy, and they cannot afford to lose.”
However, Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation Chair You Ying-lung (游盈隆) expressed skepticism that public sentiment would change before August. He said Saturday’s turnout showed widespread opposition to the campaign and predicted all seven targeted lawmakers would retain their seats, per UDN.
