Democracy News

Hong Kong Lawmakers Resign to Promote Democracy
January 28, 2010
By: Paul Larson | Printer Friendly

Five Hong Kong lawmakers have resigned from their positions in an effort to force a by-election, also called a special election, according to the Associated Press.  The election has been heralded by the resigned lawmakers as a referendum on implementing direct elections.

The lawmakers are members of the League of Social Democrats and the Civic Party, the opposition parties in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council representing each of the five electoral districts. Currently, the Chief Executive is chosen by an 800 member committee appointed by the Chinese central government in Beijing.  Half the Legislature’s 60 seats are chosen by the general public.  The other half is chosen by special interest groups.

Beijing’s long-term plan is to hold off universal suffrage until 2017 for the Chief Executive and wait until 2020 for direct elections for the Legislature.  The resigned lawmakers have called for universal suffrage to begin in 2012, according to the New York Times.  The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of China's State Council said earlier this month the plan was unconstitutional and posed a "blatant challenge" to Beijing's authority.  Al Jazeera reports that Pro-Beijing groups, such as the Liberal Party, have announced they will boycott the election. 

Despite a New York Times report that youth are engaging in increasingly confrontational protests, the Guardian reports that public support for pro-democracy movements has waned after the turnover of Hong Kong to Beijing in 1997.  The movement enjoyed a revival in 2003 when half a million people marched in protest against a national security bill.  A recent poll conducted by Michael DeGolyer, a professor of government and international studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, suggests that the public is not supportive of the attempted referendum. 

Even Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy party, the Democratic Party, has decided not to participate in the effort.  The New York Times has reported commentary by chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr. Ho, who warned that if the lawmakers lose their seats, the government will have evidence that there is little support for greater democracy.  Even if the lawmakers win the seats back, the government will consider the election meaningless.

The Hong Kong government is required by law to hold the by-election; however, a specific timetable has not been provided.  Reuters reports that the additional elections are expected to cost $19.2 million.

Sources:

Al Jazeera - HK lawmakers resign over democracy

Business Week - Five Hong Kong Lawmakers Quit in Push for Democracy (Update1)

Business Week - Five Hong Kong Lawmakers Quit in Push for Democracy (Update2)
            See cached copy here

Guardian - Hong Kong lawmakers resign to press for democracy

New York Times - As Hong Kong’s Political System Stalls, So Does Its Democracy Movement

Reuters India - HK lawmakers quit to trigger democracy "referendum"

World Bulletin - Hong Kong's lawmakers quit over democracy