Ma Ying-jeou faces uphill task if KMT is to retain power in 2016

When Taiwanese voters went to the polls to choose their municipal representatives on Saturday, there was never any doubt the ruling Kuomintang would suffer a setback. But when the results came, many were still taken by surprise. Not only has it failed to keep the mayorship in Taipei and Taichung, of the 22 key cities and counties, the KMT only won six, down from the 15 it held before the elections. The defeat, the worst since the party came to power in 1949, has prompted a series of resignations - and much soul-searching.

Various reasons have been given as to why voters have turned their back on the party. These include the widening wealth gap, soaring property prices, food safety scandals and growing economic dependence on the mainland. It was even billed by some as a de facto referendum on Taiwan's relations with the mainland.

While the party's friendly stance towards the Communists has always been a matter of concern in certain quarters of the island, the issue did not feature prominently in the elections. Voters were more concerned with domestic problems rather than cross-strait ties.

Yet the voters' message is clear. They have had enough of President Ma Ying-jeou and his administration. This was reflected in some of the key battles. Despite all-out canvassing efforts for Sean Lien Sheng-wen, son of the KMT's honorary chairman, in the fray for Taipei mayor, he was knocked out by Dr Ko Wen-je, an independent backed by the pro-independent Democratic Progressive Party. On the other hand, the DPP expanded from six to 13, its best showing since its founding in 1986. The swings do not bode well for the KMT keeping the presidency beyond 2016.

The party has only got itself to blame. Ever since it took the helm from the DPP in 2008, it has failed to impress with a clear vision and strong governance. The president, despite his charisma and initial popularity, did not seem to have a sound economic strategy to lift Taiwan out of the financial crisis. In-fighting and disunity have dealt further blows to the party.

With two senior party leaders having already stepped down, it is only a matter of time before Ma resigns as party chief. While his government will become a lame duck in the remaining months in office, he should strive to leave the party in better shape lest it is voted out of power in 2016.