Taiwanese leader Tsai resigns as leader of the ruling party after losing local elections

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has resigned as leader of her ruling party after suffering defeat in Saturday’s local elections while the main pro-Beijing opposition held its ground.

“The election results were not as expected…. I should take all responsibility and step down as DPP leader immediately,” Tsai, who will remain president of the self-governing island, told reporters.

Voters came on Saturday to cast ballots for mayors, judges and various other posts in 22 cities and counties, while there was also a referendum on whether to lower the voting age from 20 to 18, which was rejected.

Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party lost four out of six mayoral positions, including the capital Taipei.

Tsai described the vote as “a chance to show Taiwan’s tenacity and determination to the international community to defend freedom and democracy,” as Beijing ramps up pressure on democracy.

“But we don’t have time to be sad, we should get up after we fall… given the current international situation and future challenges, Taiwan has no reason to hesitate,” Tsai said.

China, which views self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory to be one day conquered, has become more belligerent towards the island under President Xi Jinping.

Tensions reached their highest level in years in August, as Beijing held huge military drills around Taiwan to protest a visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The opposition KMT, which has maintained closer ties with China during its reign, pledged to “work hard to maintain peace in the region” as its leader declared victory at a press conference.

“We will selflessly devote ourselves to the Taiwanese people, we will be selfless so that the KMT has a chance to win the 2024 (presidential) elections,” said Eric Chu.

© Agence France-Presse