President Tsai Ing-wen has stepped down as chair of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to take responsibility for the party’s crushing defeat in Saturday’s elections.
Of the 22 cities and counties nationwide, the DPP is currently holding power in 13 places. But that number dropped to six as the opposition KMT declared victory in 15 cities and counties.
Speaking at a press conference held at the DPP’s headquarters Saturday night, Tsai said she would take full responsibility for the setback. Tsai said the party had let its supporters down.
Tsai said democracy has taught the DPP a lesson, adding that the party would respond to higher public expectations in the future. The president however defended her policies, saying that the country is moving in the right direction over the past few years and that the government will continue working on the correct things.
Meanwhile, Premier William Lai also tendered his resignation on Facebook. Lai said the election results showed that the public found the government’s performance to be unsatisfactory. Tsai has asked the premier to stay in office because the government must maintain stability at the “critical juncture of reforms.”
