Failed Bid to Oust Taiwan Opposition in Recall Election Gives China New Leverage

A failed campaign in Taiwan to unseat lawmakers has handed Beijing and the island’s opposition new ammunition against President Lai Ching-te, potentially deepening a political deadlock that prevents his government from strengthening defenses against China.

All 24 Kuomintang lawmakers survived recall votes over the weekend, dealing a blow to Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party and its hopes of regaining a parliamentary majority. Analysts had expected at least some of them to lose their seats.