The DPP lost control of a number of the party’s previous strongholds, including the southern city of Kaohsiung. It now controls only six of Taiwan’s cities and counties, compared to at least 15 for the opposition pro-China Kuomintang party.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, which overseas Taiwan related policy as stipulated by the central Chinese government, welcomed the results and said they reflected the “strong will” of the Taiwanese people.
They said: “The election results reflected the strong will of the Taiwan public in hoping to continue to share the benefits of the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait, and their strong wish in hoping to improve the island’s economy and people’s wellbeing.”
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen nevertheless resigned as the chairwoman of the DPP following the election, and assumed responsibility for the significant defeat.
Commenting on the results, she said: “As chairperson of the ruling party, I will take complete responsibility for the outcome of today’s local elections.
“I resign as DPP chairperson. Our efforts weren’t enough and we let down all our supporters who fought with us. I want to express our sincere apologies.”
The DPP had accused mainland China of engaging in “political bullying” and “fake news” in the run-up to the elections in a bid to sway voters.
Tensions have also increased between China and Taiwan in recent months, after China conducted numerous military drills in the Taiwan Strait and has successively stolen a number of Taiwan’s dwindling diplomatic allies, including El Salvador.
DPP Secretary General Hung Yao-fu warned on Saturday that China had played a role in interfering with the elections, and stated they had “messed” with people’s judgement.
He said: ”I think this time was a deep lesson, in terms of fake news messing up with a lot of people’s judgment or not getting clear information.
“This is a global problem not just Taiwan’s unique problem. In facing this issue and how to solve I think our party will reflect and find a way to handle it.”
Further controversy erupted on Saturday after Kuomintang’s mayoral candidate in the capital of Taipei refused to accept defeat after disputing the results.
Incumber mayor Ko Wen-je, an independent, secured a narrow victory, while the DPP candidate came in a distant third.
The results were nevertheless criticised by political experts, who said they reflected the public’s dissatisfaction with President Tsai’s performance.
Wang Kung-yi, a political science expert at the Chinese Culture University in Taipei, told the South China Morning Post: “The results indicate the public are strongly dissatisfied with the performance on Tsai and used their ballots to teach her a lesson.