Lai apologizes for recall defeat, vows support for Aug. 23 votes

Taipei, July 30 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Wednesday apologized for the failure in last Saturday's recall votes, in which none of the 24 targeted Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers were unseated.

"I know many people found the outcome of the recall votes disappointing and regrettable," Lai, who concurrently serves as the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) chairman, said during a party leadership meeting in Taipei.

"I want to express my deep apology to all the civic groups and supporters who gave their all [to the recall campaigns]," he said, marking his first public apology since the July 26 votes ended in a clean sweep for the KMT.

Lai said he would "take full" responsibility for the recall vote results, but did not elaborate further.

At the same time, Lai pledged "full support" for the remaining campaigns targeting seven additional KMT lawmakers -- including Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啓臣) -- who are set to face recall votes on Aug. 23.

"The DPP will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with every citizen working tirelessly for the recalls," he added.

The wave of recall efforts, initiated by informal civic groups but widely backed by the DPP, aimed to unseat 31 of 39 directly elected KMT lawmakers.

While it remains unclear how the DPP plans to approach the upcoming votes, Lai said acting DPP Secretary-General Ho Po-wen (何博文) had been tasked with supporting the campaigns during this "crucial moment."

Ho was appointed to fill the post left by Lin Yu-chang (林右昌), who resigned as DPP secretary-general on Monday following the recall setbacks.

However, not everyone within the DPP supports continuing the recall push.

DPP lawmaker Wang Shih-chien (王世堅), who remained largely silent throughout most of the campaigns, said at the leadership meeting that the recalls had "left society torn and scarred."

Wang called on the DPP to negotiate with the recall groups to "withdraw" their initiatives, while also urging DPP legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) to take responsibility.

Ker was the first in the party to call for the recall of KMT lawmakers after the DPP failed to stop the KMT and Taiwan People's Party -- who together hold a legislative majority -- from passing bills they argue are unconstitutional.

Nonetheless, current law does not provide a mechanism for withdrawing a recall proposal once it has been approved for a vote.