Taipei, Taiwan: Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan's main opposition party will become the island's first female president after the ruling Kuomintang conceded defeat in polls today, as voters turned their backs on closer China ties.
"I'm sorry... We've lost. The KMT has suffered an election defeat. We haven't worked hard enough and we failed voters' expectations," said KMT candidate Eric Chu addressing tearful crowds at the party's headquarters in Taipei.
The vote count is continuing but live television figures from polling stations show Tsai has secured a historic landslide victory, with around 60 percent against 30 percent for Chu.
"We want to congratulate the DPP's victory, this is the Taiwan people's mandate," he said.
Chu also said that the KMT had lost its parliamentary majority, the first time it has ever lost control of the island's legislature.
As the economy stagnates, many are frustrated that trade pacts signed with the mainland have failed to benefit ordinary Taiwanese.
"I'm sorry... We've lost. The KMT has suffered an election defeat. We haven't worked hard enough and we failed voters' expectations," said KMT candidate Eric Chu addressing tearful crowds at the party's headquarters in Taipei.
The vote count is continuing but live television figures from polling stations show Tsai has secured a historic landslide victory, with around 60 percent against 30 percent for Chu.
"We want to congratulate the DPP's victory, this is the Taiwan people's mandate," he said.
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Chu also said that the KMT had lost its parliamentary majority, the first time it has ever lost control of the island's legislature.
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As the economy stagnates, many are frustrated that trade pacts signed with the mainland have failed to benefit ordinary Taiwanese.
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