President resigns as party head after election losses

President Tsai Ing-wen resigned as head of the ruling Democratic Progressive party after it suffered local election losses.

Voters overwhelmingly chose the opposition Nationalist party in several major races across the island in an election in which lingering concerns about threats from China took a backseat to more local issues.

The public voted for mayors, city council members and other local leaders in all 13 counties and in nine cities. There was also a referendum on lowering the voting age from 20 to 18, which was defeated, according to local media.

Tsai offered her resignation last Saturday evening – following tradition after a major loss – in a short speech in which she also thanked supporters.