The pro-democracy opposition appears to have swept to victory in Hong Kong elections, as a record turnout dealt a clear rebuke to city leader Carrie Lam and her handling of violent protests that have divided the Chinese territory.
Election winner candidate Kelvin Lam, right, and pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, second right, wave to people and thank for their support, outside South Horizons Station in Hong Kong, Monday, Nov. 25, 2019. Pro-democracy candidates won nearly half of the seats in Hong Kong's local elections, according to partial returns Monday, as voters sent a clear signal of support for the anti-government protests that rocked the Chinese territory for more than five months.
The result of Sunday’s elections could force the central government in Beijing to rethink how to handle the unrest, which is now in its sixth month. The district councils have little power, but the vote became a referendum on public support for the protests. Lam issued a statement saying her government respects the results and will listen to and seriously reflect on the opinions of members of the public.
The largest pro-Beijing political party suffered a major setback, with at least 155 of its 182 candidates defeated, according to media tallies. The winners included former student leaders and a candidate who replaced activist Joshua Wong, the only person barred from running in the election. More than 5,000 people have been arrested in the unrest that has contributed to Hong Kong’s first recession in a decade.
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