The pro-business Liberal Party yesterday threw its weight behind Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's bid for chief executive - pledging to supply up to 100 nominations.
It followed party leaders' discussions with Mr Tsang about their future roles in a ruling coalition.
The pledge of support came as five legislators from The Alliance, which represents several professional sectors, said more than a dozen of its electors would back Mr Tsang in recognition of his administrative ability.
Speaking after meeting fellow members, Liberal Party chairman James Tien Pei-chun said the leadership had decided to pledge the party's 30 votes to Mr Tsang, and would lobby others to nominate Mr Tsang.
'Although Mr Tsang has yet to come up with a platform, the Liberal Party approves of Mr Tsang's administrative abilities shown during his years as financial secretary and chief secretary,' Mr Tien said.
He said that during talks with Mr Tsang, they discussed how to improve co-operation between the government and pro-government parties should Mr Tsang be elected.
