Historical result a Hong Kong. The antigovernment candidates, calling for democratic change, swept the district elections, nearly winning 90% of the seats: 396 out of 452. The pro-establishment front has lost more than 240 seats since the 2015 elections. A really hard blow for the governor Carrie Lam and for the central government in Beijing.
Voting, in theory a minor local election, has actually taken on the meaning of a referendum on democratic reforms in the territory under Chinese control. it proves therecord turnout: voted at the renewal of the district councils the 71,2% of eligible voters, almost three million people, double the number of the previous elections in 2015.
It is the obvious sign ofsupport that Hong Kongers give to the revolt against Beijing (the whole story here), which for months has blocked the island amid massive demonstrations and very violent clashes between demonstrators and the police.
The vote was also a referendum on the work of the Governor Lam, which Hong Kong citizens have clamored for its ousting. His seat is now really in the balance, because the flood of representatives in favor of democratic reforms - including universal suffrage to elect the island's main office - will change forces in Parliament and in the commission that now chooses the governor.
The Hong Kong government will "certainly listen to citizens' opinions with humility and reflect on them seriously - Lam wrote in a note - The government will respect the result of the vote. Yesterday's elections were held in a peaceful, secure and orderly manner. After the social unrest of the past five months, I firmly believe that the vast majority of the public share my desire for the peaceful, safe and orderly situation to continue." Lam also acknowledged that the result of the vote has fueled discussions on the fact that "citizens are dissatisfied with the current social situation and well-settled problems."
