Economic problems are the main reason for the failure of the Taiwan DPP in the Taiwanese local elections

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who faces re-election in a little more than year, on last Saturday resigned as chairwoman of the DPP, taking responsibility for her party’s massive defeat at the Taiwanese local elections. The DPP has now been left in control of only six of Taiwan’s cities and counties, compared with at least 15 for the China-friendly Kuomintang party. Significantly, it lost one of its most steadfast strongholds, the southern city of Kaohsiung. Why was DPP defeated in the election? What were the issues that voters really care about? The current student Mr. Xiaoming Xue who studying for the doctor degree of Political economy from Sydney University shared his opinion.

President Tsai Ing-wen chats with a woman while waiting to vote in local elections and referendums in Taipei. Source: EPA

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