Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has suffered a crushing defeat in local elections, with the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) winning control of 15 of the island’s 22 cities and counties.
The results are a major setback for President Tsai Ing-wen and her DPP, which had been hoping to use the local polls to build momentum for Tsai’s re-election bid in 2020.
Instead, the vote has cast doubt on Tsai’s leadership, with many Taiwanese now calling on her to step down as DPP chairwoman.
Tsai has acknowledged the “severe test” faced by her party, but has so far refused to resign.
The election results are being seen as a referendum on Tsai’s performance since she came to power in 2016, with many Taiwanese dissatisfied with her handling of the economy and relations with China.
The DPP’s defeat also hands a boost to China, which sees Taiwan as a wayward province that must be brought back into the fold, by force if necessary.
China will be watching closely to see how Tsai responds to her party’s drubbing at the polls, and whether she uses it as an opportunity to reset relations with Beijing.