Exclusive | ‘Not feasible to relaunch a debate on universal suffrage now,’ Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam tells EU, according to internal report
- Chief executive said she expected a heavy defeat for pro-establishment camp in upcoming district council elections, according to document on meeting with EU representative
- Lam reportedly said this year’s policy address will be focused on land and housing, and ‘reiterating confidence in one country, two systems’
Embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor told the European Union representative in the city that it was not feasible to relaunch a debate on universal suffrage now, as that would require constitutional steps by the National People’s Congress and society was too polarised, according to an internal EU report obtained by the Post.
The report said Lam also “acknowledged that a heavy defeat for pro-establishment parties was in prospect” in the upcoming district council elections.
The document, from the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macau, dated October 8, detailed the contents of an hour-long meeting between the city’s chief executive and the head of the EU office, Carmen Cano.
The chief executive, who “seemed to be in an upbeat mood”, said she had every intention of ensuring the district council elections, scheduled for November 24, would proceed as planned. But she noted it was “up to protesters”.