In wake of Legco disqualifications, Hong Kong’s opposition mulls an uncertain future
- Some analysts suggest that a Beijing resolution making it much easier to oust lawmakers has effectively rendered opposition participation in Legco meaningless
- Opposition members themselves are wondering how to push their agenda now that the ‘legislative front has collapsed’
Local political scholars and lawmakers said the bloc could find it difficult to remain relevant in an era where the central government was taking an increasingly hard line on dissenting views.
But some pan-democrats remained optimistic that their departure offered a chance to rethink their approach to taking part in Legco and to forge a relationship with a younger generation of political aspirants waiting in the wings.
Under the resolution passed by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), Hong Kong lawmakers will immediately lose their seats if they are deemed to have engaged in a range of acts, from endangering national security to dishonouring their pledge of allegiance and refusing to support China’s sovereignty over the city. The opposition bloc viewed the decision as a new red line.
Some analysts said they believed Beijing’s move made it meaningless for pan-democratic parties to remain in the legislature. The opposition, they added, would need to think hard about whether to participate in future elections, and what their options would be if they were barred from Legco in the long run.
