Guessing game on potential Hong Kong chief executive candidates goes into overdrive with ministers’ names touted
- With about 10 days to the start of the nomination period, speculation on likely contenders for May 8 election has grown this week
- City’s No 2 John Lee, finance chief Paul Chan the latest names floated in political circles; ex-leader CY Leung and Regina Ip also mentioned as potential candidates
With about 10 days to the start of the nomination period, speculation on likely contenders has grown with Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu and Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po being the latest names floated among the city’s political elite in recent days.
Former city leader Leung Chun-ying and New People’s Party chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee are also among the names being touted as potential candidates.
The guessing game went into overdrive this week even though no principal officials had declared their candidacy yet and political watchers expressed doubts the central government would allow a contest between ministers as that could only sow unnecessary discord within the same camp.
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Hong Kong Chief Executive election delayed until May as city considers universal Covid-19 testing
“Beijing noted the downward trend in coronavirus cases and an enhanced capability of Hong Kong in controlling the outbreak … Further delaying it could trigger uncertainties ahead of the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover [from British to Chinese rule] which Beijing does not want to see,” a source said, referring to the big celebrations being planned for July 1.