A Taiwan political spat over a venue booking, awkward for the ruling DPP and for state-run oil company CPC, but easy for the New Party to turn into a rallying point.

• The New Party had booked a hall at CPC's Taipei building for its 2026 anniversary event, then was told days before that the rental was off.
• Party chairman Wu Cheng-tien said on Facebook the event was sabotaged by the DPP and moved it to the Taipei City Council auditorium.
• CPC said it approved the booking in late July but pulled it after the party announced it would hold campaign activities there, including a flag-handover ceremony for candidates.
• The state-owned company said it must stay politically neutral, refunded the rent and deposit, and offered two other venues.

Outlook: Expect the New Party to keep using the cancellation as a campaign grievance as Taiwan's local election season heats up.