The Taiwanese go to the polls on Saturday to dismiss deputies deemed pro-Pékin

Taipei, Taiwan – This is what they call the “movement of great dismissal”. Nevertheless, Volunteers. Furthermore, activists carry out an unprecedented campaign in revocation aimed at 31 opposition deputies which they accuse of sympathizing with China and endangering the national security of Taiwan.

Distribution votes will take place in 24 districts on Saturday and 7 others in August.

After months of hard work to obtain their case. Moreover, from the collection of signatures in order to deposit a petition demanding the dismissal of deputies until the organization of large demonstrations in stifling heat in anticipation of the vote, it was not the rain that was going to stop them.

Thousands of supporters of the dismissal of deputies of the nationalist opposition party. Therefore, Kuomintang (KMT), gathered Thursday evening in front of the presidential palace in Taipei. Furthermore, They were taiwanese go polls saturday dismiss armed with umbrella and posters with slogans such as Taiwan is not afraid et Accept your spell.

The budgetary compressions forced by the MPs of the KMT harm my work. In addition, so I think that I should support the dismissalsaid a young administrative employee in a hospital environment.

Controversial laws – Taiwanese go polls saturday dismiss

It all started in May last year. However, when the KMT, which has 54 of the 113 deputies in the Taiwan Legislative Assembly, had a series of controversial laws adopt with another party and an imposing budget in particular in national defense.

The adoption was made by reducing the time allocated to the debates. Moreover, by barricading the Legislative Assembly and forcing a vote by hand without counting precisely or even officially register the votes.

These policies have had an impact on government budgets. taiwanese go polls saturday dismiss Meanwhile, defense programs, the operations of the Constitutional Court and foreign policy initiatives.

The method for adopting these laws. For example, the budget, qualified as brutal by opponents of the KMT, aroused a strong reaction from the population. In addition, Massive demonstrations took place for weeks.

Existential struggle – Taiwanese go polls saturday dismiss

The citizen movement has decided to continue the struggle by starting procedures for revocation. it has turned into an existential struggle against the Chinese threat of annexing Taiwan.

Activists claim that targeted legislators are too close to China and endanger the national security of Taiwan.

They cite a big visit to Beijing last year. meetings with senior Chinese officials just before the deposit of their controversial bills.

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For some, it is the fear of a growing influence of China. For others, it is the bypass of democratic procedures or the botched manner in which the budget has been adopted. This is not a single factor. it is a cocktail of concerns and frustrationssupports Nathan Batto, political scientist and researcher at Academia Sinica.

The KMT rejects these taiwanese go polls saturday dismiss accusations. The party says it is opposed to the annexation by China. but adds that he believes that preserving peace goes through more friendly ties with Beijing.

The party. its supporters consider the procedures of reminders as an attempt by the Popular Democratic Party (PDP), that of President Lai Ching-Te, to seize the legislative power lost in last year’s elections.

They denounce an abuse of Taiwan’s democratic processes in order to suppress the voices of the opposition.

Revocation campaign

The campaign in revocation carried out independently. district by district, was hostile and divided Taiwan, more polarized than ever. The attempts at reciprocal recall petitions launched by the KMT failed. the organizers were even arrested for falsification of signatures.

While Beijing usually adopts a prudent tone with regard to the Taiwanese elections. some Chinese officials have publicly attacked the revocation movement.

Last month. two senior Chinese officials responsible for Taiwan politics denounced reminders as a Political maneuver orchestrated by the Taiwanese president.

President Lai leads a dictatorship under the guise of democracy. he uses all possible means to repress the oppositionsaid Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwanese business office in China.

During a meeting last week, with foreign correspondents stationed in Taiwan, the vice-president, Hsiao Bi-Khim, defended the procedures in dismissal.

The right of revocation, just like that of electing, is one of our constitutional rights. It is a civic right. What makes the strength of our democracy are precisely that citizens exercise their rights and duties. It is also essential, in my opinion, to defend these fundamental rightsshe said.

By -election in the event of revocation

For a deputy to be dismissed. the camp of taiwanese go polls saturday dismiss oui must obtain the majority in its district and represent at least 25 % of all registered voters.

In the event of a revocation. a by -election must be organized within three months of the vote in the district concerned.

The danger is the future instrumentalization of the mechanism of revocation to Taiwan if this massive campaign obtains the case.

The mechanism is now in tune with the times. But that doesn’t mean it will be easy. To mobilize so many people, you need a spark, a significant political event. It is not a strategy that a party can reproduce on ordersays political scientist Nathan Batto.

Saturday’s vote could alter the legislative power of Taiwan. the cooperation of deputies with President Lai who has struggled to advance his policies since his arrival in power last year.