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HK's Tsang fears July poll could be derailed
2005-04-03
HONG KONG - An election in July to select Hong Kong's next leader might be derailed because of legal challenges, interim leader Donald Tsang said on Thursday, the first time he has expressed fears over the poll's timing.Tsang took the helm after reviled chief executive Tung Chee-hwa stepped down in early March, citing poor health, Reuters reported. Some pro-democracy activists believe Tung was pushed out by his Beijing masters and cite his departure as an example of interference in the city's affairs by the Communist Party. A pro-democracy lawmaker has vowed to challenge the Hong Kong government over the two-year term the next leader must serve instead of five as set out in the city's mini-constitution. "Some people openly stated that they will seek judicial reviews to challenge the decision. I'm really worried that the July 10 election will end up being a miscarriage," Tsang told reporters on Thursday. Tsang made his comments as he began a series of meetings with major political factions to discuss ways to ensure that the July 10 selection process runs smoothly. Pro-democracy and legal circles in Hong Kong are fuming over Beijing's decision to restrict the term of the next leader. Sources say Tsang already has Beijing's tacit support to win on July 10, when a Beijing-sanctioned electoral college of 800 people will pick the next leader. There is no free vote by Hong Kong's seven million residents. Analysts believe Beijing decided to limit the next chief executive's term to two years for reasons of political expediency. Beijing decided to give Tsang a shorter term to test his loyalties and appease its own supporters, who want to field their own candidates for the scheduled 2007 election. Critics have accused Beijing of flouting the constitution and pro-democracy lawmaker Albert Chan has vowed to take the government to court over the issue -- a move that could derail the July 10 selection and create a leadership vacuum. Political analyst Timothy Wong at the Chinese University said Tsang made his comments to prepare for Beijing to step in. In recent days, legal experts in Beijing have repeatedly said that the only way out is for the Chinese parliament's standing committee to reinterpret the mini-constitution, or Basic Law. A source says Hong Kong's government is now considering asking Beijing to reinterpret the Basic Law, which will add to fears that it is increasingly meddling in the city's affairs. It would be the third time it has done so since the former British colony reverted to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise of wide-ranging autonomy for 50 years. "The Hong Kong government is definitely thinking seriously about making such a move," said a source close to the government, adding that the reinterpretation could take place as early as April, when parliament's standing committee next meets.
Pro-Beijing Lawmaker Endorses Donald Tsang (2005-05-29)HK's Tsang to announce bid for top job next week (2005-05-15)HK's Tsang fears July poll could be derailed (2005-04-03)Lawmaker chides Beijing for favoring acting Hong Kong leader (2005-04-03)HK's Tsang denies any Beijing interference (2005-03-15)
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