Taiwan president quits party post after elections loss

TAIPEI—Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen resigned as head of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Saturday after her strategy to frame local elections as showing defiance to China failed to pay off. The elections for mayors, county chiefs and local councilors are about domestic issues such as the pandemic and crime. Those elected will not have a direct say on China policy. But Tsai recast the election as being more than a local vote, saying the world is watching how Taiwan defends its democracy amid military tensions with China. The main opposition party the Kuomintang was claiming victory in 13 of the 21 mayoral seats up for grabs, including Taipei, compared to the DPP’s five. “The results failed our expectations. We humbly accept the results and accept the Taiwanese people’s decision,” Tsai said.