The votes could reshape the island democracy's parliament and the government's approach to its powerful neighbor.

Tensions are high in Taiwan as threats from China and anger over political deadlock take center stage in an election to recall opposition lawmakers.

In the following months, the main opposition party Kuomintang worked together with the smaller Taiwan People's Party and independents to block DPP bills and pass controversial pieces of legislation. This included limiting the constitutional court's powers, cutting the government's budget, and raising the threshold for holding recall votes.