Camp could pay high price after Anson Chan's decision, warn analysts
The pro-democracy camp could retain as few as two seats in the Hong Kong Island constituency in the September Legislative Council election following Anson Chan Fang On-sang's decision not to run, political analysts have warned.
They believed Mrs Chan's decision not to stand would signal the end of her political life.
The Beijing-friendly Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) said it was too early to say if it would make gains, while the Liberal Party said it might consider fielding candidates to grab a seat in the constituency.
Six Legislative Council seats will be returned on Hong Kong Island.
At present, four are held by pan-democrats - Martin Lee Chu-ming and Yeung Sum of the Democratic Party, Audrey Eu Yuet-mee of the Civic Party, and Mrs Chan, who is non-affiliated.
Mr Lee has announced he will not seek another term, to make way for the so-called second-generation democrats. The party has decided to field district councillor Kam Nai-wai to run with Dr Yeung under the same ticket. The Beijing-friendly camp has been widely tipped to grab three seats in the constituency.