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Taiwan Legislature Advances Impeachment Bid Against President Lai and Premier Cho

Opposition lacks the supermajority required for removal.

Overview

  • Lawmakers voted 60–51 to initiate proceedings backed by the Kuomintang, the Taiwan People’s Party and two independents.
  • A roll-call vote is scheduled for May 19, 2026 following public hearings on Jan. 14–15 and review sessions where Lai is invited to respond.
  • The case centers on the executive’s refusal to promulgate a legislature-passed amendment shifting more tax revenue to local governments after the premier declined to countersign it.
  • Impeachment would require 76 of 113 votes in the Legislative Yuan and subsequent approval by the Constitutional Court, which observers say is unlikely.
  • The Presidential Office said it will respect lawful, constitutional procedures as the opposition frames the move as defending constitutional order and the ruling party calls it political theater.