Lai urges DPP to back recall campaign targeting KMT lawmakers

Taipei, June 28 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Saturday urged the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to actively support civil groups campaigning to recall Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers.

Lai, who also chairs the DPP, said at the party's national congress in Taipei that while many countries grow wary of China's expanding authoritarianism, Taiwan's defense budget and security proposals are being blocked by opposition parties.

With public concern over national security rising, civic groups have launched a large-scale recall campaign, Lai said. "The DPP must stand with the people and take responsibility for protecting the country."

This was Lai's first public call for DPP support of the recall, following a similar pledge by the party's secretary-general last week after the CEC scheduled a July 26 vote to unseat 24 KMT lawmakers across eight cities and counties.

Taiwan has long demonstrated civic spirit in times of national need, Lai said, citing the 1990 Wild Lily student movement for democratic reforms and the 2014 Sunflower Movement opposing a China-leaning trade pact.

As with past civic movements, the party must once again stand with the people to defend Taiwan's sovereignty and democracy, he added.

Civil groups launched the recall campaign in protest of a series of legislative measures backed by the KMT and the smaller Taiwan People's Party, which they say threaten Taiwan's constitutional order and national defense.

In addition to the 24 recall bids that have cleared the signature threshold, seven more targeting KMT lawmakers are under review by the CEC, as the campaign seeks to strip the opposition of its majority.

Also on Saturday, senior KMT figures rallied with targeted lawmakers, urging the public to vote "no" in the July recall.

"Abstaining from the recall vote is tantamount to condoning the DPP and letting the villains succeed," said KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫). "If people don't turn out, every KMT lawmaker's seat is in danger."

At an event hosted by KMT Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆), who is facing recall, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) called on supporters to back targeted KMT lawmakers and prevent the DPP from gaining a legislative majority.

Separately, the DPP approved rules governing its primary process for the 2026 mayoral and county magistrate elections at the national congress.

Under the new rules, incumbent DPP mayors and county magistrates eligible for re-election will be nominated by Lai to seek another term.

In cities and counties where DPP leaders have reached the two-term limit, including Kaohsiung, Tainan and Chiayi County, candidates will be chosen through a primary organized by the party's 2026 Election Strategy Committee.

Meanwhile, in areas where the DPP is not currently in power, nominations will follow standard party procedures.