There is safety in numbers—such are the rules of the game in Taiwan’s unconventional coalition parliament. Not only is Taiwan navigating a divided government for just the second time in its history, but the most recent election cycle also marks the first occasion since 2004 that the Legislative Yuan (LY, 立法院) lacks a majority party. Coalition building has therefore emerged as a vital electoral strategy in Taiwan’s current political landscape, from adapting to the polarized outcome...| Global Taiwan Institute
On July 26, 24 Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) legislators and one Taiwan People’s Party (TPP, 民眾黨) mayor faced recall votes. This high number of recalls was without precedent in Taiwan’s recent political history. Although the number of legislators being recalled was abnormal, the right to recall elected officials in Taiwan is prominently featured in Taiwan’s election law Public Officials Election and Recall Act (POERA, 公職人員選舉罷免法). This article examines the backgroun...| Global Taiwan Institute