Behind the Scenes: If It's So Stable, Why Is Lai Qingde Personally Deploying Troops? The DPP Is Deeply Worried About a Key Stronghold

The New Tide faction, to which President and DPP Chairperson Lai Qingde previously belonged, recently secured three Central Standing Committee seats at the DPP's national congress, making it the largest faction within the party. However, a cancer-causing oil scandal has raged for a month, severely impacting the DPP-led central government. Pan Menan, a key figure in the New Tide and Secretary-General of the Presidential Office, has also faced public criticism over allegations of shoving a female reporter. While Lai has consolidated power within the party, his administration remains unstable. With the 2026 county and city mayoral elections approaching, the DPP must retain control of existing strongholds such as Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, Chiayi County, Pingtung County, and Penghu County. Yet, one seemingly stable county has caused significant concern within the party—so much so that Lai Qingde has personally ordered troop deployment. What exactly has happened?