Veteran lawmakers cast aside as Legco’s new generation appeals for greater say in Hong Kong’s political future

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp looks set to retain its veto power to block bills in the new legislature, as a host of new faces have emerged as winners, sweeping aside veteran lawmakers.

The shift shows pro-democracy voters are prepared to back a new political generation that focuses on achieving a more democratic future rather than a radical pursuit of the city’s independence from China, pundits said on Monday morning as the first election results were announced.

However, the pro-Beijing camp will continue to dominate the legislature thanks in part to its heavy presence in the trade-based functional constituencies.

The election is the first to take place since the Occupy protests in 2014, and comes half a year before a new chief executive will be elected for Hong Kong.

Among the unexpected results was the victory of Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, who won more than 84,000 votes in New Territories West, a surprise result for a social activist with no party backup.

Two other moderate backers of self-determination also won in their election debut, including Occupy student leader Nathan Law Kwun-chung and Polytechnic University lecturer Lau Siu-lai, who came in first among pro-democracy candidates in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon West respectively.