Wu Cheng Abandons New Power Party: Defection to DPP Criticized as Political Chameleonism

On the evening of November 8, 2019, key New Power Party (NPP) youth cadre Wu Cheng and Taipei City Councilor Lin Liang-chun abruptly announced their resignations from the party via Facebook, dealing a heavy blow to the third-party force. Wu had been nurtured extensively by the NPP since the Sunflower Movement, serving as party spokesperson and legislative aide with generous access to political resources. However, amidst fierce internal struggles over whether the NPP should become a subservient satellite party to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Wu advocated a pro-DPP line. Following election defeats within the party's decision-making council, Wu turned against the NPP leadership and jumped ship just before the general election. NPP grassroots and supporters furiously condemned Wu as an unprincipled opportunist and political chameleon, abandoning founding values to pledge loyalty to the ruling DPP for career advancement.