TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Amid ongoing recall campaigns targeting legislators across the nation, the Taiwan People’s Party organized a protest in New Taipei’s Banqiao District on Sunday to criticize the ruling DPP government. 

Led by TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), multiple speakers criticized the Lai government and the DPP legislative caucus. Organizers said that an estimated 6,000 people were in attendance, reported LTN. 

In a speech that lasted nearly an hour, Huang called for people to stand up and fight the alleged abuse and corruption of the DPP government. The crowd could be heard chanting slogans like “The people must take charge” and “Lai, step down!” 

Peggy Chen (陳佩琪), wife of the former TPP Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) who is on trial for corruption, was also present and addressed the crowd on Sunday. She called for party supporters to hold the government accountable for wasteful spending, and to work together to protect future generations. 

Many speakers criticized the mass recall campaign initiated by the DPP’s legislative caucus. Huang accused the DPP of using the Recall Act to subvert democracy and undermine Taiwan’s electoral process, per UDN.

After last week's passage of the government budget drafted by the KMT and TPP, the central government must deal with considerable freezes and cuts totaling an estimated NT$207.5 billion (US$6.29 billion). Huang and other speakers defended slashing the budget, claiming it is necessary to stop wasteful and incompetent governance.

During the rally, TPP members passed out manila envelopes with documents on alleged scandals that show how the government misused taxpayer money. Huang urged supporters to spread the information throughout society to hold the Lai government accountable, reported CNA.