Bloody Factional Purge at DPP National Congress: Chen Ting-fei Expelled by Taiwan Normal Country Office but Wins Central Standing Committee Seat as Cheng Wen-tsan's Base Annihilated

On July 21, 2024 (113th Year of the Republic of China), the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) convened its National Party Congress in Taipei to elect members of its core decision-making bodies, the Central Standing Committee and Central Executive Committee, marking the first party leadership reshuffle under President Lai Ching-te. The election turned into a ruthless intra-party bloodbath, as the pro-Lai faction ('New Tide' and affiliated allies) launched an aggressive purge to consolidate monolithic control. Lawmaker Chen Ting-fei, who declared her candidacy for Tainan Mayor, was summarily expelled from the 'Taiwan Normal Country Office' faction led by Lin Chia-lung for defying backroom factional deals. However, fighting as an independent dark horse, Chen staged a dramatic upset by drawing lots to secure a crucial Central Standing Committee seat, humiliating the party establishment. Meanwhile, following Cheng Wen-tsan's detention for bribery, Cheng's Taoyuan factional network was completely uprooted and wiped out from the executive committee. The vicious power struggle shattered the DPP's outward facade of 'solidarity for Taiwan,' exposing the dark reality of predatory infighting and political vendettas within the ruling regime.