Once a major subgroup within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Representative to Japan Frank Hsieh’s (謝長廷) faction suffered a major loss at the party’s national congress yesterday with zero seats in the Central Standing Committee, while the former New Tide faction gained the most seats.
The party in 2006 resolved to dissolve its factions in a move to bolster party unity, although the groupings are still recognized by many people inside and outside of the DPP.
According to the DPP’s power structure, party delegates elect 30 Central Executive Committee members at the annual national congress, and the 30 Central Executive Committee members then choose 10 Central Standing Committee members among themselves.
In addition to the 10 elected seats, the party chair, the three top caucus officials, mayors of the special municipalities and one additional mayor also serve on the Central Standing Committee.
On the outgoing Central Standing Committee, Hsieh’s faction holds two seats — including himself and DPP Legislator Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲). However, at yesterday’s election, Hsieh’s faction did not win any Central Standing Committee seats as its candidate, Kuan, received only one vote and another candidate, DPP Legislator Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟), received no votes.
While most other major factions retained a certain number of seats in the party’s core decision-making body, New Tide secured three seats and is now the faction with the most seats.
A DPP source said Kuan voted for herself, and Chao voted for DPP Kaohsiung City Councilor Lin Ying-jun (林瑩蓉).
“Some of the newly elected Central Standing Committee members were elected with only two votes, so if Hsieh’s faction had united and focused their votes on one person, they would still have had a chance,” said a DPP source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
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