TPP Internal Conflict: Lee Cheng-hsiu Accuses Huang Kuo-chang of Political Struggle

Lee Chen-hsiu has publicly accused Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chair Huang Kuo-chang of orchestrating political struggles within the party, claiming that such internal conflict risks turning the TPP into a second version of the defunct New Power Party.

The dispute surfaced through a series of reports and public appearances, where Lee criticized the leadership’s approach to internal party management. Lee alleged that Huang has played a leading role in directing political battles that have led to the targeting of specific party members.

Allegations of Financial Compensation

During the conflict, Lee revealed that the party had previously proposed monetary compensation in relation to her departure or resignation. This disclosure contradicts earlier narratives regarding the nature of her exit from the party’s inner circle.

Huang Kuo-chang has responded to these claims by urging Lee to maintain her integrity and stop lying, specifically denying that any “benefit exchange” or quid pro quo arrangement was made regarding her resignation.

Internal Party Friction and Public Reaction

The tension between Lee and the party leadership has extended to political talk shows, where Lee has continued to voice her grievances. These appearances have drawn criticism from other party figures, such as Chang Yu-meng, who characterized the situation as a palace fighting textbook and suggested that the parties involved are suffering the consequences of their own mutual bullying.

This internal rift comes at a time when the TPP is facing significant external pressure. The party has recently been embroiled in controversy regarding its legislative conduct and its stance on national defense spending.

Broader Context of TPP Challenges

The internal strife occurs alongside other legal and political hurdles for the party’s leadership. TPP Chair Huang Kuo-chang was previously named as a defendant in an injunction and became the subject of an investigation by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office in June 2025.

That investigation centered on an audio recording played by Huang during a legislative committee session. DPP lawmakers accused Huang of using a fabricated or AI-generated simulation of an improper interrogation technique to mislead the public, leading to allegations of forgery and potential violations of the Personal Data Protection Act.

the TPP has faced criticism regarding its role in the Legislative Yuan. The party, along with the Kuomintang (KMT), has been accused of creating a deadlock in the Legislative Yuan that delays the acquisition of critical modern warfare systems. Specifically, the TPP and KMT have proposed budget versions that omit funding for large-scale drone procurement and integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) networks, favoring conventional procurements instead.

The party has also dealt with public relations challenges involving its legislators. Lee Chen-hsiu herself previously drew attention during an air questioning session in the Legislative Yuan’s Internal Affairs Committee, an incident described as a pre-rehearsed script that went out of control.