Pro-Democracy Parties Make Minor Gain In Hong Kong Elections

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

14 September 2004

The pro-democracy parties have failed to gain significant ground following elections to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council.

The candidates for the pro-democracy groups managed to secure 18 of the 30 directly elected seats to the lawmaking institution – a gain of one seat from the previous election.

The result is something of a surprise given the groundswell of popular feeling against direct rule from Beijing, expressed in recent street demonstrations protesting at China’s decision to postpone full democracy.

Analysts had predicted prior to the election that pro-democracy parties could take 25 to 28 seats in the Legco. The result is also somewhat surprising considering the record 55.6% voter turnout.

Nonetheless, the poll will likely be met with a degree of relief by Hong Kong’s Beijing-appointed Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, with pro-Beijing candidates taking 12 of the 30 seats, up from seven last time around.

In the remaining thirty seats, known as functional constituencies which are selected by business and professional groups, the democratic parties took seven seats, leaving the government with a useful majority overall.

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