The LegCo election: What happened, what it means for Hong Kong’s future, and why you should care

Eddie Chu (C) after winning the most votes across all five geographical constituencies in the September 2016 Legislative Council election. Chu is running in this weekend’s pre-elections. Photo: Reuters/Bobby Yip
Eddie Chu (C) after winning the most votes across all five geographical constituencies in the September 2016 Legislative Council election. Chu is running in this weekend’s pre-elections. Photo: Reuters/Bobby Yip

On Monday, Hong Kong’s sixth Legislative Council – the lawmaking branch of the city’s government, also known as “LegCo” – was announced. As the first LegCo election since the Occupy Movement of 2014, the polls were a crucial litmus test to see just how far public sentiment had changed following the mass protests. So what happened?

Well, the pro-Beijing camp maintained the majority of their seats in LegCo, with a total of 41 out of 70. On the other hand, several young pro-democracy politicians – including six localists – won, ousting a number of veteran lawmakers and increasing the opposition seats from 27 to 29.

By attaining over one third of the seats, the pro-democracy opposition camp has retained the power to vote against motions, bills, and amendments to bills proposed by other lawmakers.

Considering that pre-election polls indicated that they wouldn’t be able to maintain this one-third bloc, and the pro-Beijing parties’ influence in functional constituencies (which make up 35 out of 70 LegCo seats), this is no small victory.

However, whether the pro-democracy camp can work together against a more unified and well-funded pro-Beijing majority remains to be seen. While it may be easy to divide the vast spectrum of political parties into two opposing factions for the sake of clarity, the reality is not nearly as simple.

Following the largely peaceful Occupy protests which failed to bring about electoral reform, many (mostly younger) Hongkongers became disillusioned, leading to the growing popularity of localism. The movement advocates protecting Hong Kong’s interests, freedoms, and culture from mainland Chinese influence more aggressively than traditional pan-democrats.

Groups under the localist umbrella are splintered too, with some milder, more centrist branches calling for greater autonomy over Hong Kong, while other more extreme groups advocate a return to British rule, or even full independence from China.

Two of the localists who won LegCo seats – Nathan Law, 23, and Yau Wai-ching, 25 – are the youngest lawmakers ever elected. Other localists who were elected include newcomers such as Baggio Leung and activist Eddie Chu, the latter of who won by a landslide with 84,121 votes, the most out of any candidate in any geographical constituency.

All four of these new politicians are considered pro-self-determination, meaning that they believe in Hong Kong’s right to determine its own political status, whether that be as an SAR or an independent city-state.

The contrasting platforms of the elected lawmakers could spell a tumultuous term ahead, which in turn makes it hard to predict what kind of legislature would be introduced. If the pro-democracy camp fails to present a unified front, bills jeopardising many of the civil liberties which set Hong Kong apart from China – like press freedom, freedom of speech, and the right to protest – may be enacted.

Recent events, such as the barring of LegCo candidates who were considered pro-independence by government officials, and rumours that teachers would be banned from even discussing independence in classrooms, have fanned fears of Beijing’s growing influence on the city.

On a global scale, the erosion of Hong Kong’s autonomy could damage its reputation as an international financial centre. The territory’s independent rule of law and low rate of corruption have long drawn businesses and immigrants alike; but high profile cases such as the bookseller who disappeared in Hong Kong and resurfaced weeks later under detention in China, have ignited concerns that those qualities that make Hong Kong a world class city are slipping away.

That being said, we won’t know how much of this will come to light until the sixth council’s term starts on Oct. 1. In the meantime, we’re optimistic – cautiously so, but optimistic nonetheless – that these fresh new faces will inject some much-needed change into Hong Kong’s political scene.
 

Related articles:

The Coconuts Hong Kong Guide to LegCo: What is it, how does it work, and who gets to be in it?

 


Got a tip? Send it to us at hongkong@coconuts.co


 



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