SELF-REFLECTION: Several members of the DPP caucus offered to step down, including its chief executive, who said that a wrong does not become right because of an election

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) would reassess its policies and possibly reshuffle the party's legislative caucus to better meet the public's expectations following defeats in Saturday's recall elections and referendum vote, DPP Legislator Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said yesterday.

The party was dealt a heavy blow on Saturday after voters rejected efforts to recall seven Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers. Last month, 24 KMT lawmakers similarly survived recall elections.

Although a referendum to restart the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County failed to meet the threshold, it was supported by the majority of participating voters. The DPP opposed the measure.

Lin said that the party would review its policies and bounce back.

Although the recalls were initiated by civil groups, their failure at the polls affected the public's perception of the DPP, so the party must reflect on that and find ways to better meet expectations, he said.

President William Lai's (賴清德), who is also DPP chairman, on Saturday evening pledged to make changes.

"A Cabinet reshuffle is already under way," Lin said.

He added that the party would initiate a comprehensive review and make necessary adjustments on how it works with the Legislative Yuan, where the DPP is in the minority.

The failure of the recall votes is a "stern warning" for the party, DPP Legislator Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) said.

"We must conduct a full review, to find out why the Executive Yuan could not gain the trust of the majority of voters. Maybe a change in the direction of policies is needed," she said.

"It was also not a good result for us on the referendum, indicating we should reassess our nation's energy policy. Now is the time for a reset, for a new start to win back voters' trust in our party," she said.

While 74.17 percent of participating voters supported the referendum, the measure failed to meet the threshold of 25 percent of eligible voters, about 5 million people, needed to pass.

DPP caucus chief executive Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) on Saturday night wrote on Facebook that "you cannot turn a wrong into something right, just because you won an election."

"When doing things right, they would not become wrong just because you lost the vote," she wrote.

She also rejected calls by opposition parties to release former Taiwan People's Party chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), saying they have distorted the voting results and are using a victory at the polls to engage in political intimidation.

Wu and several DPP caucus members have offered to resign from their posts.

DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said they all have performed at their best and expressed the hope that they would stay on "to continue fighting."

Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday visited Lai at the presidential residence to give her support to his administration.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khiam (蕭美琴) was also present at the gathering.

They exchanged views on domestic and international affairs, Lai said.

"We shall face the upcoming challenges, and will take up people's voices to push forward and seek more cooperation to lead Taiwan to a brighter future," he said.

ELECTION FALLOUT: DPP takes stock after recall losses - Taipei Times