KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou says he will step down to take responsibility for the election results when the ruling party holds its Central Standing Committee meeting Wednesday.
Ma’s comments came Tuesday after the KMT suffered a major setback in Saturday’s municipal elections. Ma said he wants to apologize to supporters again. Ma also said although the KMT lost the elections, it will not be defeated if the party does needed soul-searching, continues reforms and upholds its values.
Also on Tuesday, KMT Vice Chairperson Hung Hsiu-chu said whoever takes the reins of the ruling party Wednesday will assume a temporary role.
Hung said media reports about who the acting chairperson will be are rumors. But she said no one should shun the responsibility if it’s his or her turn to take over.
"How can we come to that if we can’t even find someone to take the reins?" said Hung.
She declined to comment on whether she is eyeing the position. She said it’s important for her to do a good job as vice president of Taiwan’s Legislature.