Taiwan president’s party humbled in local polls

Tsai Ing-wen quits DPP management as Kuomintang celebrates victory in Taipei and different centres

TAIPEI: Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s ruling get together suffered a serious defeat in Saturday’s native elections, that are seen as a prelude to the island’s 2024 presidential and legislative elections.

The China-friendly opposition Kuomintang (KMT) received mayoral seats in 4 of six particular municipal districts, together with the capital Taipei.

Following the defeat, Tsai mentioned she would step down as head of her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Get together (DPP).

“The election outcomes weren’t as anticipated,” she informed reporters. “I ought to shoulder all of the duty and I resign as DPP chairwoman instantly.”

Tsai will keep on as President of the self-ruled island.

The heavy losses suffered by the DPP are sure to weaken Tsai and prone to intensify competitors amongst these in search of to hold the get together’s banner within the presidential election scheduled for January 2024. Tsai, who was first elected in 2016, just isn’t eligible to hunt a 3rd time period.

Among the many casualties on Saturday was the DPP candidate for mayor of Taipei. Chen Shih-chung mentioned at his marketing campaign headquarters that he hoped Chiang Wan-an of the Kuomintang “can govern Taipei effectively”.

“I’m sorry to disappoint everybody,” the DPP candidate added.

Chiang is the great-grandson of the late Kuomintang chief Chiang Kai-shek, who fought and misplaced a civil conflict in opposition to Mao Zedong’s Communists and is remembered by many Taiwanese for his repression.

“We noticed righteousness conquer lies, democracy defeat suppression and light-weight move by means of opaqueness,” he mentioned on Saturday night time.

The KMT was main the DPP 49.6% to 43% throughout all 22 metropolis and county management contests, in line with the Central Election Fee, with about 5.8 million votes counted as of Saturday night.

The outcomes of the native elections shall be carefully watched in Washington and Beijing, because the DPP’s rise to energy beneath China-sceptic Tsai has prompted China to chop off communications with Taiwan and ramp up diplomatic and navy strain on the island that it claims as its personal.

The KMT, which favors eventual unification with China, had beforehand overseen a historic enlargement of ties with Beijing, easing journey, commerce and funding throughout the Taiwan Strait.