Keelung Mayor George Hsieh Survives Recall Vote
Keelung Mayor George Hsieh overcame a recall challenge on Sunday, with a majority of those who turned out voting against the motion, while those who wanted him ousted also failed to clear the minimum number of votes required. According to election law, Hsieh cannot be recalled for the remainder of his term.
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00:00Our election campaign has ended successfully. Thank you everyone.
00:07Jilong Mayor George Hsieh returns to work after dodging an attempt to remove him from
00:11office. Hsieh has faced a campaign for his removal
00:14since becoming mayor of the northern city in December 2022.
00:18Campaigners say he hasn't fulfilled his election promises, pointing to allegations of corruption
00:23in the operation of a local mall. The vote to recall him saw a turnout of just
00:27over 50 percent, with 55.15 percent voting against and 44.85 percent in favor.
00:34In fact, they didn't lose this election. The citizens of Jilong didn't lose either.
00:42Because we used a democratic way of voting to complete a vote that hasn't been completed
00:51in 70 years.
00:56Taiwan's election laws mean Hsieh won't face another recall vote for his remaining two
01:01years in office. Although the campaign to recall Hsieh failed,
01:05nearly 70,000 people voted against him.
01:07Today, we have received 70,000 votes. This means that our citizens of Jilong have
01:14always heard our voices. Mayor George Hsieh, please realize that 70,000
01:21people of Jilong are dissatisfied with your re-election.
01:24Hsieh's party, the Kuomintang, has accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party of
01:28coordinating the campaign. They're worried it could spur other recall
01:32petitions around the country.
01:33Today, Taiwan's democracy is still a matter of conscientious competition.
01:39It's not a matter of using a way to get rid of someone, a way to retaliate, or a way to
01:46If we continue to do this, it won't help with the coordination of the government.
01:52In fact, it will only cause more conflicts in society.
01:55Only one mayor has ever been successfully recalled in Taiwan when former mayor of Kaohsiung,
02:00Han Kuo-yu, was removed in 2020. While Hsieh is in the clear for now, the residents
02:05of his city have voiced their opinions and sent a powerful message to other politicians
02:09in Taiwan. Yixin Chen and Tiffany Wong for Taiwan Plus.
02:15For more UN videos visit www.un.org