Political situation in Taiwan

Tsai Ing-Wen votes. Chang Hao-an / AP 

 

Taiwan's president steps down as leader of his party Taiwan President 

 

Tsai Ing-Wen is stepping down as leader of the ruling DPP party after a stinging loss in local elections on Saturday, AFP reports. 

 

- The election result was not as expected [...] I should take on all responsibility and therefore I am resigning as chairman of the DPP immediately, she says. 

 

The DPP won only five of Taiwan's 22 constituencies, compared to 13 for the opposition Kuomintang party.

 

 

Taiwanese voters line up at the polling station. Chiang Ying-ying / AP 

 

Political situation in Taiwan The ruling party loses big in Taiwan's local elections The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered a major defeat in Saturday's local elections in Taiwan, AP writes. 

 

The Nationalist Kuomintang won 13 of the 22 constituencies, including the capital Taipei, compared to the DPP's five. 

 

The threat from China played a relatively modest role in the debate. Chen Shih-Chung, the DPP's candidate for mayor of Taipei, only mentioned the threat from the Communist Party a few times in his campaign before returning to more local issues due to lack of interest. 

 

In connection with the election, a referendum was also held on the proposal to lower the voting age from 20 to 18, which was rejected. Will remain Taiwan's president major defeat in Saturday's local elections in Taiwan, AP writes.