Taiwan's Political Tensions Rise: KMT to Stage Rally Against President Lai

Kuomintang Mobilizes Supporters, Accusing the Ruling Party of Political Persecution

Taipei, April 19 – The political landscape in Taiwan is heating up as the Kuomintang (KMT) party, led by Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫), calls for a mass assembly on April 26. The rally is intended to express public discontent with President Lai Ching‑te (賴清德) and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), amidst ongoing investigations into the opposition party.

Chu, speaking outside the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, voiced concerns over what he described as a "reckless political purge" by the DPP. He stated, "It is rare in the free world to see a government that calls itself democratic launch such a reckless political purge against its opposition." He further alleged that the DPP is weaponizing the judiciary, creating a climate of fear and silence.

The call to action involves gathering on Ketagalan Boulevard, in front of the Presidential Office Building, to make President Lai hear the public's voice. "All of us standing here and now share the same crime - opposing President Lai Ching‑te. Taiwan faces a crossroads for its democracy, and we must step up and combat dictatorship. Otherwise, Taiwan has no future," Chu emphasized.

The KMT's mobilization follows a raid on the party's Taipei office, which led to the detention of four staffers, including Taipei chapter chair Huang Lu Chin‑ju (黃呂錦茹). These detentions are linked to allegations of forged signatures on petitions aimed at recalling DPP lawmakers.

While Huang Lu and Tseng Fan‑chuan (曾繁川) were later released, two other staffers, Chu Wen‑ching (初文卿) and Yao Fu‑wen (姚富文), remain in detention. The DPP, in response, has not commented on the planned assembly, but has accused the KMT of being the biggest threat to democracy, citing numerous problematic recall petitions.

DPP spokesperson Justin Wu (吳崢) condemned the KMT's protests as "illegal," accusing the KMT of undermining Taiwan's stability and democratic system.

Chu believes the investigations are politically motivated, claiming the Lai administration is attempting to suppress the KMT. He pointed out perceived double standards, referencing a previous case involving allegedly fake signatures in a recall campaign against Han Kuo‑yu (韓國瑜), where no charges were filed. He warns that the judicial system is "obviously" targeting the KMT and accuses the Lai administration of being "only one step away from declaring martial law."