Hong Kong’s pro-democracy political parties have announced that they will stay in the Legislative Council for a year to continue their fight to stop what they say is a draconian law.
On July 31 of this year, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced that she would invoke the Emergency Law to postpone for one year the general election of the Legislative Council that was originally scheduled for September 6, citing the fight against the neo-crowning epidemic. On August 11, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) announced that all current members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council would remain in office until the new legislature took office.
Pro-democracy lawmakers condemned the authorities’ move, saying that the authorities feared that public anger and anxiety following the imposition of the national security law would lead to a sweeping victory for the democrats in the general election. In an effort to resist the authorities’ decision, many pro-democracy lawmakers claimed they would leave the Legislature after the current term ends on September 30, but said they were willing to let public opinion decide whether to stay or go.
The Hong Kong Institute of Public Opinion, which they commissioned, released a poll of pro-democracy supporters on Tuesday (September 29, 2020). According to the results, about 47% of the respondents support staying in office, while about 46% oppose staying in office.
Democratic Party Chairman Jason Wu announced that 15 pro-democracy lawmakers had decided to stay in office and continue their struggle in the legislature.
The Hong Kong authorities’ decision to postpone the Legislative Council elections for a year had been condemned by the international community.
In a statement issued on August 1, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “The election in question should be held as soon as possible, after September 6, and in a manner that reflects the will and aspirations of the people of Hong Kong. If such an election is not held, Hong Kong will regrettably continue to evolve into another Communist-controlled Chinese city.”
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