Taiwan’s first wave of recall motions did not pass. President Lai Ching-te said today (26th) that everyone should respect and accept the voting results. He deeply thanked the power of the citizens, “Your efforts have not been in vain.” The responsibility of the governing team is to continue to remain firm, work hard for the people, and look forward to cooperation between political parties to move forward in unity.
President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te, expressed on Facebook in the evening that today, the people of Taiwan once again exercised their rights granted by the constitution to make a decision. Regardless of the voting results, everyone should respect and accept them. Whether in support or against the recall, he expressed his gratitude to all fellow citizens who exercised their civic rights and thanked all those involved in the electoral process for completing today’s voting operation.
Lai Ching-te stated that today’s outcome is not a victory for one side or a failure for the other. The recall and anti-recall are legitimate rights that the people have in the constitutional system. Despite the existence of different stands in society, the people of Taiwan can still express their opinions and make decisions through constitutional and legal means. This is the most precious aspect of democratic Taiwan.
Reflecting on the past year, he said that many citizens stepped forward; in the final days, many traveled a long way to vote. During this period, many people bent over to collect signatures in heavy rain, handed out flyers under the sun, went to the streets after work, and manned intersections on holidays. “We are not fighting out of hatred, but out of love for our country.”
Lai Ching-te expressed his deep gratitude for the power of the citizens, “Your efforts have not been in vain.” It is because of you that public servants have returned humbly to seek the trust of the people; it is because of you that the frozen national budget, unfairly cut, has been successfully unfrozen.
“Your cries have awakened the long-silent civil society; your actions have reminded every political figure of every party that they have a duty of loyalty to the country and are under constant supervision by the people; they have also solidified the national direction of anti-communism and Taiwan protection, and strengthened the civic power of anti-communism and protecting Taiwan,” said Lai Ching-te.
He said, “Because of your actions, you are reminding the ruling powers and the representatives of the people that our democratic and free constitutional system exists not to create power but to limit power.”
Lai Ching-te said, “Elections and recalls will have results, but Taiwan’s democracy will only be stronger through the continuous participation of the citizens. As long as we persist, democracy will never lose, and as long as Taiwanese citizens continue to move forward, we will walk alongside civil society.”
“After today, we will face many challenges, but we must prove to the world that Taiwan is a country capable of resolving internal disputes through constitutional means and that it is a country that can unite in democracy after competition,” Lai Ching-te said.
He stated that the responsibility of the governing team is to stay firm, work hard for the people, persist in the national interest, and let the country continue to move forward. He also looks forward to all political parties, regardless of their stance, and all sectors of society coming together to defend democracy and freedom in the constitutional system, safeguarding the country. “Let us work hand in hand, united in moving forward.”