Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has resigned as head of the ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP) after a poor performance in local elections.
The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) won several major races on Saturday, including the capital Taipei.
The vote has drawn global attention as Taiwan has become a major geopolitical flashpoint between China and the United States.
President Tsai framed the election as a vote for democracy amid rising tensions with China.
“The election results were not as expected… I must accept all responsibility and resign immediately as chairwoman of the DPP,” said Miss Tsai, who continues as president of the self-ruled island. will remain, told JEE News reporter.
Elections for local councils and city mayors have an ideologically domestic focus, covering issues such as crime, housing and social welfare, and those elected have a direct say on Taiwan policy towards China. It won’t happen.
However, Ms Tsai and government officials urged voters to use the election to send a message of standing up for democracy, as Beijing steps up pressure on the island.
Voters also rejected a referendum to lower the voting age from 20 to 18, which was run alongside local elections.
The Chinese government views Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually become part of the country.
But many Taiwanese consider their autonomous island — with its own government and a democratic system — separate.
Tensions peaked in August when Beijing staged major military exercises around Taiwan to protest a visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The US has long been tough on Taiwan. Officially, it has no formal ties with Taiwan, but it has also pledged to supply the island with defensive weapons and stressed that any attack by China would cause “grave concern”. will be made
Two sides, two ideologies
There are two main political parties in Taiwan and they have different views on China.
The Kuomintang (KMT), a party of conservative business champions, is traditionally seen as a pro-China “dove”.
He has advocated economic ties with China and appears to favor alliances, although he strongly denies being pro-China.
His main rival is Ms Tsai’s ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP). Ms. Tsai won the 2020 national election by a landslide.
He took a tough stand against China, saying Beijing needs to respect Taiwan and Taipei will not bow to pressure.
She was re-elected on a promise to stand up to Beijing. Locals told JEE News at the time that protests in Hong Kong and Beijing’s subsequent crackdown on civil rights had sparked concern in Taiwan.
