Move by Hong Kong government to entice pan-democrats over 2017 poll set for failure
Raymond Tam confirms government could offer deal for support on 2017 reforms, but then rejects demands by moderate Ronny Tong
A government attempt to entice pan-democrats to back the 2017 universal suffrage plan looks all but certain to fail after top officials set stringent limits to possible changes for the 2022 chief executive election.
Earlier this week, a government source told the that the administration might offer a rethink of the nominating system for the 2022 race in exchange for pan-democrats' support for the 2017 reform package.
Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Secretary Raymond Tam Chi-yuen confirmed yesterday that the government could make such a pledge if it saw a positive response from pan-democrats, but also immediately rejected the key demands made by a moderate pan-democrat.
Civic Party lawmaker Ronny Tong Ka-wah said he might support the 2017 reform package if the government promised to lower the nominating threshold for chief executive hopefuls in the 2022 poll and scrap functional constituency seats in the 2020 Legislative Council election.
However, Tam said: "Although I am desperate to gain Tong's vote … I think he would be disappointed because his demands are not feasible in terms of the constitutional setting and political reality."
In August, the central government set a stringent framework for the 2017 poll by limiting the number of candidates to two or three, all of whom would have to win majority support from a 1,200-strong nominating committee.
The government needs the support of at least four pan-democrat lawmakers to obtain the required two-thirds backing for the package.
Tam said the 50 per cent nominating threshold had been prescribed in Basic Law provisions. "Even in 2022 or thereafter, I believe this threshold would not be amended easily," he said.
While the composition of the nominating committee could be a possible area for change in the future, Tam said the incumbent government could not promise anything substantial when it put forward the 2017 reform package for a vote in the legislature in the summer.
"After the 2017 reform package has been approved, the next chief executive could make recommendations on how to amend the election arrangement [in accordance with the actual situation at the time]," said Tam. "[But] we don't know yet who will be the next chief executive, so I cannot speak too much on his behalf."
Speaking after a consultation seminar, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the government would be willing to negotiate with pan-democrats, but within the limits set by Beijing.
Commenting on the government appeal, Tong said: "I can't see anything else to propose as my bottom line has already been reached. There's no need to waste time any more."
Other pan-democrats who have been seen as possible last-minute dealmakers also gave a critical response to the officials' appeals.
"I will oppose [the government proposal] given the current situation," said "super seat" lawmaker Frederick Fung Kin-kee.
Accountancy representative Kenneth Leung said the government's latest gesture made no difference. "I have no feeling at all," he said. "None."