Lee gains stronger mandate as ruling party sweeps local elections

“President Lee Jae Myung received a significant boost to his agenda as the ruling Democratic Party's (DP) landslide victory in Wednesday's local elections signaled strong support for his running of state affairs ahead of the start of his second year in office. With the vote count still under way, the DP was certain to win 10 of the 16 key mayoral and gubernatorial races, while the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) was certain to win one. Of the five races that were too close to call, the DP was projected to win three, while the PPP was projected to win two. The results, if confirmed, will shift the political center of gravity in local governments back to the liberals four years after they were defeated 12-5 during the administration of former conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol. In the National Assembly by-elections held alongside the local elections, the DP was also projected to sweep at least 9 out of 14 seats up for grabs, maintaining its dominance in the 300-member parliament where it already holds a majority. DP leader and campaign chief Rep. Jung Chung-rae hailed the results

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