Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and his new administration are already embroiled in a political crisis that makes governance more difficult as hundreds of thousands of protesters took the streets yesterday, political scientists say.
Dissatisfaction with the government and Leung's illegal structures saga were among the most cited reasons that drove an estimated 400,000 people to take part in the annual rally, according to a mini-poll of 231 protesters conducted by the South China Morning Post.
The random sampling found 90 were first-timers on the march, while more than half felt taking part could help bring about change. About half were under 30.
Lai Yan-ho, convenor of march organisers the Civil Human Rights Front, said the high turnout was a vote of no confidence in Leung. 'This tells us he has never won the hearts of the people,' he said.
Leung should come clean on his illegal structures this week and accept an investigation by lawmakers, Lai added.
The estimated turnout was the third largest since 2003, when the public marched against the Article 23 national security bill, the post-Sars downturn and negative equity.