All 7 KMT lawmakers survive recall, opposition bloc keeps majority

Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) All seven Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers targeted in Saturday's recall votes retained their seats, allowing the KMT and its opposition ally, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), to preserve their majority in the Legislature.

Saturday's recalls targeted New Taipei Legislator Lo Ming-tsai (羅明才), Hsinchu County Legislator Lin Szu-ming (林思銘), Nantou County legislators Ma Wen-chun (馬文君) and Yu Hao (游顥), and Taichung legislators Yen Kuan-heng (顏寬恒), Yang Chiung-ying (楊瓊瓔) and Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), but all seven lawmakers kept their seats, according to Central Election Commission figures.

In all seven recall votes, more people opposed than supported the recall, with an average of 64 to 69 percent voting against and 30 to 35 percent voting in favor. None garnered enough backing to meet the required threshold of 25 percent of eligible voters for the recall to succeed.

The votes were the last in a two-stage campaign against the KMT, Taiwan's largest opposition party, after an earlier round of recall votes on July 26 failed to unseat any of the 24 KMT lawmakers targeted.

Also Saturday, a referendum seeking to extend the operation of Taiwan's Third Nuclear Power Plant failed to meet the required "yes" vote threshold of 25 percent of eligible voters. However, among those who voted, there were more ballots in favor (4.3 million) than against (1.5 million).

Saturday's result was a major defeat for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and civic groups pushing the recall votes, which had hoped to remove KMT lawmakers whom they argued were pro-China and were obstructing the government's policies.

KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) said the failure of recall votes against KMT lawmakers showed that "the voice of the people has triumphed over the arrogance of power," and he called on President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to halt "political maneuvers" that stoke division.

Meanwhile, Lai announced that his administration will implement several adjustments, including personnel changes; reprioritizing policies to focus on the economy, livelihoods, vulnerable groups and youth; and strengthening fiscal sustainability to secure long-term national development.