Lee Chen-hsiu Expulsion Ignites 'Palace Coup' Accusations Against Taiwan's New Power Party

The New Power Party, once lauded for its transparency, now finds itself mired in a scandal that smacks of internal power struggles and questionable ethics. The expulsion of legislator Lee Chen-hsiu has exposed a raw nerve within the party, with critics like Chang Yu-meng drawing parallels to past controversies involving party leader Huang Kuo-chang during his time in the New Power Party.

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The most "open and transparent" New Power Party set up a trap to force Lee Chen-hsiu to leave.

Chang's sharp critique highlights the alleged "one-stop shop" for internal purges, where accusations are first floated, and then Huang Kuo-chang, like a royal decree, solidifies the outcome. The controversy deepens with allegations of manipulated meeting minutes, with Chen Chih-han's defense resting on the "excellent memory" of those present, a claim met with widespread disbelief and accusations of a "version AB" record.

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The meeting minutes were based on the "excellent memory of many people present."

The core of the dispute seems to revolve around Lee's alleged demand for money, a claim she vehemently denies and seeks to clarify through the release of recordings and meeting minutes. The party's internal processes, particularly the handling of the Central Review Committee meeting where Lee was asked to sign a modified record, have come under intense scrutiny. The fact that Lee's addendum, stating she would not take any money from the party or Ko Wen-je, was handwritten while other signatures were printed, raises serious questions about the integrity of the process.

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The New Power Party's "one-stop shop" for purges is the same as Huang Kuo-chang's past in the New Power Party: first, a barrage of accusations, and then Huang Kuo-chang makes the final decision.

This internal turmoil is not just a domestic political spat; it reflects a broader concern about the party's governance and adherence to its founding principles. The stark contrast between Huang Kuo-chang's past calls for transparency, like live court broadcasts, and the current allegations of "dark room" dealings with party members, is a bitter irony not lost on observers. For a party that positioned itself as a beacon of integrity, this episode is a significant blow, raising doubts about its commitment to genuine democratic practices and internal fairness.

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Huang Kuo-chang pulled Lee Chen-hsiu into the party caucus's "small room" to pressure her to resign today.