Taiwan's Opposition Triggers High-Stakes Impeachment Bid Against President Lai

They have the numbers to start, but not to finish. In a move that's sent shockwaves through Taipei, Taiwan's opposition parties officially launched impeachment proceedings against President William Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai on December 26, 2025. The Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) accuse the administration of violating the constitution and bypassing legislative norms.

A Symbolic Strike in a Divided House

While the KMT and TPP successfully initiated the proceedings, the path to removal is steep. They still lack the two-thirds majority required to pass the final impeachment vote scheduled for May 19, 2026. Analysts suggest this isn't a practical attempt to oust Lai, but rather a strategic maneuver to humiliate the executive branch and signal intense dissatisfaction with his leadership.

The $40 Billion Defense Deadlock

The political infighting has direct consequences for regional security. The opposition has effectively blocked a $40 billion supplemental bill intended to bolster Taiwan’s defense spending. Furthermore, parts of the 2026 budget remain stalled as the legislature battles over tax revenue allocation and the composition of the constitutional court.