TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) confronted a significant political setback following the failed July 26 recall attempts. The president appeared at the Democratic Progressive Party's Taiwan's ruling party (DPP, 民進黨) Central meeting Wednesday (July 30), where he offered apologies to civic groups and supporters while accepting all criticism for the party's shortcomings. Lai reaffirmed the DPP's unwavering commitment to supporting citizens in the recall areas ahead of the crucial Aug. 23 recall vote.
Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) responded with sharp criticism to Lai's comments during a radio program appearance. The opposition leader criticized Lai's remarks as DPP chairman, accusing Taiwan's ruling party of lacking responsibility and attributing the deepening social divide to the DPP's initiation of the recall process. Huang expressed profound disbelief at Lai's choice of apology recipients, emphasizing the critical need for national leaders to heal societal wounds and unite the country.
Huang highlighted Lai's election night statement, where the president declared "the voting result is neither a victory for one side nor a failure for the other," while questioning such remarks' sincerity. The TPP chairman stressed that he had urged Lai three times to reconsider his divisive approach, but the president ignored this advice and made the worst possible choice following the July 26 vote. Huang warned that presidential failure to learn humility and persistence in the current path will further tear apart Taiwanese society and hinder healing. ◼