• Taiwan's opposition parties begin impeachment proceedings against President William Lai.
• The motion passed with a vote of 60 to 51 in the Legislative Yuan.
• The impeachment aims to address alleged constitutional violations by Lai and his administration.
• A final vote on the impeachment is scheduled for May 19, 2025.
• This marks a significant moment in Taiwan's political turbulence and instability.

Taiwan’s opposition parties, namely the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), have launched impeachment proceedings against President William Lai Ching-te for purportedly "undermining constitutional order and democracy." The motion was passed in the Legislative Yuan with a vote tally of 60 in favor and 51 against, primarily involving opposition lawmakers, as reported by Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and Anadolu Agency.

The legislative motion derives from Lai's failure to enact an amendment that would have increased local governments' share of public revenue, which is the first instance in Taiwan’s history where a leader did not sign a law passed by the legislature. This unprecedented situation has led to claims that Lai is infringing on democratic institutions, thus fueling bipartisan tensions on the island, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

Following the legislation's rejection, the KMT and TPP leaders have intensified their calls for Lai's impeachment, emphasizing that he has acted in a manner reminiscent of an autocrat. The impeachment process is set to proceed with hearings leading up to the final vote on May 19, 2025, showcasing a critical moment in a period marked by legislative gridlock and political polarization, as noted by Anadolu Agency and South China Morning Post.

As the political situation intensifies, Lai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which had an extensive election victory last year, now finds itself in a precarious position after losing its legislative majority. Observers view this impeachment as a symbolic move, reiterating widespread dissatisfaction with Lai's governance and legislative performance, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.