Trending claims

Democracies disproportionately win wars they fight can better mobilize resources for conflicts fight harder for victory

Other countries can help Taiwan’s opposition parties break pattern

Strong parties have deep and often formal links with members and broader society

KMT and TPP legislators passed controversial reforms to seize powers from executive and judiciary

Voters' beliefs that everyone won 2024 election gave way to realization that Taiwan has few institutional means to resolve competing executive and legislative prerogatives within divided government

KMT and TPP parties attempted to shift budgetary control to local-level governments where they hold majority of leadership positions

Parties were effectively stuck with each other until next national elections in 2028

Ongoing gridlock threatened government functions even as Taiwan needs to demonstrate resolve to Beijing and Washington

If recalls become normalized electoral losers will wait a year and launch campaign

Taiwan's civil society tried to force resolution through widespread recall efforts which failed on Saturday

Legislature voted down new appointees to court and raised quorum of justices preventing it from legally operating

Taiwan's constitutional court struck down most measures

Taiwan's opposition parties played constitutional hardball for past year and a half

Each candidate would have to win two elections with second recall having higher bar than first

Elected officials would have only that year to govern while opponents have incentive to obstruct government's agenda

Good governance would struggle to survive in this environment

Budget battle slashed funding along partisan lines setting DPP government up for failure

Campaign revealed two potential threats to Taiwan's democracy

Divided government drama played out in failed vote to recall opposition legislators

Functioning democracies require forbearance parties refrain from using all legal or institutional prerogatives for political gain