TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The defeat of a recall campaign against 24 KMT lawmakers should not be interpreted as the outcome of a struggle between political parties, the DPP argued Saturday.

Results showed all 24 legislators survived the vote, with anti-recall votes surpassing pro-recall in every election district, per the Central Election Commission. Before the final official results were in, several lawmakers declared victory.

Speaking to reporters Saturday evening, DPP Legislative Caucus Secretary-General Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) called on the public not to rush to conclusions. 

The party’s secretary-general, Lin Yu-chang (林右昌), echoed her remarks, saying the recall votes had not been a fight between political parties, so the result should not be interpreted as a victory or a defeat for one party or another, the Liberty Times reported.

Lin said the DPP would quickly adjust its course in response to public opinion. He also described the recall campaign as an unprecedented and essential part of Taiwan’s democracy. Recall supporters had been motivated by love for Taiwan and by the urge to oppose China, he added.

The outcome of Saturday’s first round of recall voting means the KMT will hold on to 52 of its seats out of a total of 113 at the Legislative Yuan, though another seven of its lawmakers will face recalls on Aug. 23.