Hong Kong democrats retain veto in fractious council election
- 12 years ago
Hong Kong's new Beijing-backed leader has emerged the big winner in local elections.
Allies have held onto their seats, as pro-democracy groups failed to capitalise on protests against China-linked policies.
Democrats retained their veto power on the legislative council, but suffered a poor showing.
Independent candidate, Pamela Peck, was disappointed more people did not turn against the main parties.
SOUNDBITE: INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, PAMELA PECK, SAYING (English):
"I feel really disappointed. I thought people, more people understand this phenomenon. You know if they vote for me they don't really have to like me. Just that they are not agree or are not satisfied with the parties, they should vote for me to say no to those people."
Analysts said poor strategy among democrats allowed pro-Beijing parties to hold their ground.
SOUNDBITE: BAPTIST UNIVERSITY POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR, MICHAEL DE GOLYER, SAYING (English):
The key thing is that the DAB which is the core of the pro-government coalition group did very well. They have very good control of their voters, they ran their tickets very wisely, they allied with a couple of independents that they got in. Very good coordination. Whereas the democrats went after each other. Threw everything but the furniture at each other in some cases and ended up losing votes and seats."
Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy, but Beijing has resisted public pressure for full democracy.
Allies have held onto their seats, as pro-democracy groups failed to capitalise on protests against China-linked policies.
Democrats retained their veto power on the legislative council, but suffered a poor showing.
Independent candidate, Pamela Peck, was disappointed more people did not turn against the main parties.
SOUNDBITE: INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, PAMELA PECK, SAYING (English):
"I feel really disappointed. I thought people, more people understand this phenomenon. You know if they vote for me they don't really have to like me. Just that they are not agree or are not satisfied with the parties, they should vote for me to say no to those people."
Analysts said poor strategy among democrats allowed pro-Beijing parties to hold their ground.
SOUNDBITE: BAPTIST UNIVERSITY POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR, MICHAEL DE GOLYER, SAYING (English):
The key thing is that the DAB which is the core of the pro-government coalition group did very well. They have very good control of their voters, they ran their tickets very wisely, they allied with a couple of independents that they got in. Very good coordination. Whereas the democrats went after each other. Threw everything but the furniture at each other in some cases and ended up losing votes and seats."
Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy, but Beijing has resisted public pressure for full democracy.