Taiwan’s opposition will keep its legislative majority in a blow to President Lai Ching-te’s Democratic Progressive Party, with voters overwhelmingly rejecting an attempt to recall 24 Kuomintang lawmakers.

An unprecedented vote to remove lawmakers from office could have handed President Lai Ching-te more power by ousting opponents. It didn’t.

The bitterly fought campaign reflects sharp infighting in Taiwanese ruling circles fuelled by the intensifying US-led drive to war against China, in which Taiwan is the central flashpoint.