Tsai Ing-wen Resigns as head governing Democratic People’s Party
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has resigned as head of the governing Democratic People’s Party (DPP) after its poor campaign in local elections.
The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) won several key contests on Saturday, particularly in the capital Taipei.
The election has drawn global attention as Taiwan becomes a geopolitical hot spot between China and the United States. President Tsai has presented the election as a vote for democracy amid growing tensions with China.
“The election results were not as expected… I have to take full responsibility and resign immediately as DPP chairman,” Ms. Tsai, who will remain president of the self-governing island, told reporters.
Elections for local councils and mayors are nationally focused on names, covering issues such as crime, housing and welfare, and elected officials have no say in Taiwanese politics.
However, Ms Tsai and government officials have urged voters to use the polls to send a message about defending democracy, as China enhances pressure on the island.
Voters also rejected lowering the voting age from 20 to 18 in a poll held alongside the local elections. The Chinese government views Taiwan as a breakaway region that will eventually become part of the country.
But many Taiwanese view their self-governing island – with its own form of government and democratic system – as something different. Tensions peaked in August when Beijing staged a major military campaign around Taiwan to protest US President Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island.
The United States has long walked a tightrope on Taiwan. Officially, it has no close ties to Taiwan, but has pledged to provide the island with defense weapons and insisted that any attack from China would cause “grave concern”.
