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The Hong Kong Metropolite


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The Hong Kong Metropolite

"A Testament of Democracy" — Liberals Win Election 

After six weeks of campaigning by the six party leaders representing a wide spectrum of political views, the Citizens of Hong Kong have determined who has won and who has lost in the first democratic elections held in over a century.

The centre-left Liberal Democratic Unionist Party, or the LDUP, led by Interim Chancellor and Leader of the Independence Movement Isadore Chan Ching, will return to the Assembly as the largest party, winning 39.4% of the popular vote and 158 of the 400 seats in the Assembly.

They have, however, failed to achieve an overall majority of 201 seats. This means that for at least the next two years, they will have to rule in coalition with another party.

This reality has not stopped Isadore Chan Ching from making a triumphant victory speech to an ecstatic audience at Liberal Headquarters in Victoria last night. "This is a Testament of Democracy", she said, "and the results tonight are a message to the doubters and the unfaithful, that a brighter future is ahead of us!"

One of the choices that the LDUP have for a coalition partner is the Socialist League. The leftist League made an explosive debut on the political scene. Their outspoken leader, Sylvia Leung, made headlines with a stunning debate performance last week. Just a month prior to the election, the Socialists had been polling at around 5%. Last night, they have exceeded expectations, winning 24.7% of the popular vote and 99 seats in the Assembly.

“The voice of the working people is clear: they do not want to be ignored any further by a government that does not care about them or their rights,” proclaimed Leung. “We have used the majesty of the democratic system to take back what we deserve!”

The Socialists’ agenda has been a matter of controversy. Their plans for a universal basic income and the abolishment of private schools were relentlessly attacked throughout the campaign by almost all the party leaders for being “too radical”. Yet, should Chan Ching invite the Socialists into a coalition, these plans might become reality.

Another choice that Chan Ching may have for a coalition partner is the centrist Alliance for Reformation of the Republic, or the ARR, led by 38-year-old Julian Pak, a relative newcomer to the Assembly. The ARR won 15.1% of the popular vote and 60 seats on a promise to offer “a cleaner, more practical form of politics that works for everyone” to the nation, and has garnered a significant amount of support over the last week. Its popularity, however, has slipped in the last two weeks of the campaign.

The Green Democrats were returned as the fourth-largest caucus in the Assembly with 39 seats. However, due to their relatively low seat count, they are ineligible for a realistic coalition and would have to spend the next two years in opposition.

The centre-right National Conservative Party, or the NCP, fell way short of the 120 seats they were aiming for, returning only 31 Assembly Representatives, and have only won 3 of their 78 target seats in the geographical constituencies. To a sombre audience at Party HQ in the Southern District, leader Alexander Young apologised for the party's poor showing and announced his resignation from the post. He will, however, remain an Assembly Representative, stating, “I will continue to be a voice for liberty and freedom of choice and want, against what seems to be a dangerous tide of liberalism in government.”

The far-right Freedom! Hong Kong group returned 13 Representatives. Despite initial fears by the liberal bloc that the self-professed “radical” group would end up a major force in the Assembly, these worries seem to be unfounded. Their leader, Hector Vilovsky-Kang, was nowhere to be seen last night, and this morning declined to comment on the results of the election. Our correspondents are endeavouring to contact high-ranking Freedom! Hong Kong representatives for a response to the results.

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"A Union of Equals" — Liberals and Socialists Form Coalition Government

The formation of Hong Kong’s first democratically-elected government was no easy business — but last night our leaders got it done

After two weeks of talks between the Liberal Democratic Unionist Party and the Socialist League, at 11:34 p.m. Andolian Meridian Time last night, the flash from the Premier Residence reported that the two largest parties elected in the first democratic elections ever held in Hong Kong had struck a coalition deal and will proceed to form a government, with Liberal chairwoman and independence movement leader Isadore Chan Ching as Premier, and Socialist League leader Sylvia Leung as her Deputy.

The LDUP had received 158 seats in the election whilst the Socialists had received 99. The new government will occupy 257 of the 400 seats in the Assembly, a majority of 144. This would give the new coalition a large mandate to implement policies they have fought for in the election.

The LDUP had initially been inclined to form a coalition with the centrist-leaning Alliance for Reformation of the Republic, or the ARR. However, coalition talks broke down last week when the two parties failed to reach a compromise on healthcare reform. According to sources LDUP party leaders were reluctant to form a coalition with the Socialists, fearing that their “radical” policies would hinder the Liberals’ campaign promise of “sensible and stable governance”. However, these sources are confessed that they were left with “little choice” as the only alternative would be to call another election, which analysts say would waver public faith in the government or even the democratic system as a whole.

Any such effort to prevent the formation of this coalition was, in the end, fruitless, as evident last Saturday when Chan Ching revealed to reporters outside the Assembly Chamber that “coalition talks with the Socialist League are going smoothly and a deal is expected within the next week”.

The successful negotiation of the deal was confirmed when Chan Ching and Leung left the Premier Residence for the Chancellery, where they were received by Chancellor-President Julius Tam, who authorized the formation of the government and appointed Chan Ching and Leung to their posts as Premier and Vice Premier respectively. Later, they announced the details of their deal to the Commonwealth in a televised address in front of the Commonwealth Assembly Building.

“The nation has spoken loud and clear in the general election,” began Chan Ching, “and the government we have formed will repay the trust of our nation in its democracy. The members of the Cabinet, which we will announce in due course, will represent the diversity of the nation.”

The policy agenda for the upcoming parliament was also announced last night. Socialist plans such as universal childcare and a 15% tax increase for the richest 10% made their way onto the Liberal policy agenda unscathed, whilst the Liberals completely retained their plan to keep private schools open while increasing the taxes levied on private education institutions. The Liberals also made way to Socialist plans for a universal basic income, but scaled back the plan from providing $5,000 a month to the poorest 50% to $3,500 to the poorest 30%.

“This is a compromise solution that was necessary to keep the government afloat,” explained Leung when questioned whether this meant that the Socialists were reneging on their campaign promise. “In this case, both sides took a step back for the unity of the Commonwealth. This is the majesty of democracy, and we hope that no matter who you voted for in this election, we could all come together as one, as Hongkongers.”

“It is a union of equals,” added Chan Ching, “it is the only way to provide stable governance for our citizens.”

The complete list of the 23 Cabinet members would be announced next week. It is expected that 14 Cabinet spaces would be allocated to the Liberals while the remaining nine would be allocated to the Socialists. A “union manifesto” outlining the policy agenda of the coalition in greater detail is to be made public in the coming days, according to Chan Ching.

The Metropolite wishes the coalition all the best in its governance and urges it to do its best to provide stability and prosperity to all members of the Commonwealth.

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  • 2 weeks later...

A Promise Fulfilled — the Premier's Address on the Accession to the Auran League

The Metropolite is pleased and honoured to print in today’s edition Premier Isadore Chan Ching’s written address to the nation on Hong Kong’s admission into the Auran League.

My fellow Citizens:

Since ancient times, Hong Kong has always been close with its neighbours. The language Hongkongers now speak originates from a foreign language: Lavandulan, spoken in what is now Giovanniland. During the Federation Era, Hong Kong aligned itself with Giovanniland, its northern neighbour. Hong Kong has consistently been a trading partner of countries on the Auran mainland, a major pillar of our economy even to this day. Even in its most dire hour during the War of Independence, it is with foreign support of its neighbours in Aura that Hong Kong became the free Commonwealth it is today.

Apart from the temporary, forced quarantine that Hong Kong was made to undertake during the Achinian Occupation, the main foreign policy goal of Hong Kong was to integrate itself with its neighbours so it can contribute its fruits for the benefit of all and for the pursuit of peace and prosperity. It has been the guiding principle of this administration that the region’s peace means the Commonwealth’s peace, that the region’s prosperity means the Commonwealth’s prosperity. Such a guiding principle is inherited from our forefathers, who believed that the only way to secure our place in the world was to share in its strength and improve where it has fallen short. I have promised this outward focus during the campaign, as has my Deputy during her campaign.

Today, we have fulfilled that promise.

This morning, I have received from the Zoranian Ambassador to our nation a telegram from the Speaker of the Auran Council notifying me as head of government that a unanimous vote in favour of our admission has been made by the current members of the Auran League. With the signature of Chancellor Tam on the Charter of the Auran League, from tomorrow onwards, we stand not only as Hongkongers, but Aurans too.

The road to accession has not been easy. Though many of you have supported our outward, internationalist outlook on foreign policy and have campaigned vigorously for accession, there existed and continue to exist opposition to our founders’ integral virtues. These so-called “Souverainiste” forces subverted the wishes of our founders and the people, throwing out empty threats that such an admission would endanger our nation’s economy. Indeed, such fearmongering could be described as a “paper tiger”: threatening in appearance, while fragile and weak in substance. Four studies in a row from our own prestigious University of the Commonwealth have confirmed time and time again that the short-term and long-term economic gains from an internationalist partnership with our neighbours dramatically and overwhelmingly outweigh any at all losses regardless of economic sector and industry. Indeed, the Shadow Finance Secretary himself, in all his rhetoric and theorising, has confessed that there would be “economic benefits” and that his arguments were merely “to oppose the government from any further progress”. I have always said that the nation is wise and the people’s vision is crystal clear. Indeed, your response in ignoring and seeing through the falsities of such a wild claim is proof that the will of the people shall never be denied in this Commonwealth.

In all their meaningless obstructionism, they know well themselves that their point does not stand. While they may obstruct parliamentary time and proceedings, what they cannot obstruct is the spirit of our nation. Their petty votes of abstention on the Bill of Accession only serve to show us that the right way forward is the way we have taken for centuries. They do not even dare to vote against your will.

Our unanimous vote in both chambers of the legislature serve to affirm this glorious and most joyful day in the modern history of our nation. We as a nation would be more than happy to share in the fruits of Auran common labour. We as a nation would be more than happy to contribute to the security of the realm. We as a nation would be more than happy to defend the rights of free movement and trade. We are resolved in uniting our efforts in hopes of securing a peaceful future for ourselves and our posterity, as outlined in the great Charter.

Hong Kong has never been an isolationist nation. Today I hereby announce to a candid and expectant nation: we are back on the international stage!

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Legislators Brawl Over Constitutional Amendment

The government’s plan to reform the electoral system for the presidential, legislative and local elections led to the city’s first instance of legislative violence since the establishment of the Commonwealth.

At least twelve members of the Commonwealth Assembly were injured in a brawl along party lines during today’s Assembly Legislative Session on the government’s Constitutional Reform Bill.

After a fierce debate, in which opposition assemblyman Augustus Loy sparred with the Premier, calling her a “traitor” and a “liar”, government assemblyman Oliver Sze crossed the floor and dealt a blow to Loy, causing the latter to fall to the ground. Sze was immediately met with retaliatory attacks by surrounding opposition lawmakers.

Chaos ensued in the Assembly Chamber, amidst futile attempts by Speaker Isaac Leong to maintain order. Members of the Cabinet were actively involved in the brawl: Minister for Education Louis Koo was seen dragging Shadow Justice Secretary Marina Chang by the collar and slamming her head onto a desk. Whilst climbing over desks and chairs in an attempt to take control of the Speaker’s chair, Leader of the Opposition Julian Pak fell and was trampled under a crowd of angry legislators. He was sent to hospital on a stretcher for multiple fractures and head injuries, becoming the most high-profile casualty in the scuffle.

Premier Isadore Chan Ching was escorted out of the Chamber by the Sergeant-at-arms after a glass of water was thrown at her, smashing into pieces on the table next to her. Vice Premier Sylvia Leung continued to speak into a megaphone, fierily criticizing those against the amendment, calling them “backwards, useless, obstructionist scum of the earth unable to serve the people and deserving the condemnation of the people, the nation, and the world”. Throughout the session, Chan Ching and Leung as well as members of the Shadow Cabinet were subject to frequent heckling and acts of physical and verbal violence.

The melee was ultimately stopped by the Sergeant-at-arms leading the Legislature Security Forces, which separated the two sides and dragged legislators from both sides out of the chamber. However, the appropriateness of the Security Forces’ actions came under scrutiny. Opposition lawmakers deemed the Security Forces’ actions too violent, citing back injuries suffered by assemblyman Lawrence Teng, who claimed he was injured because Security Forces agents dragged him up some steps by his ankles.

The hostility between the government and the opposition continued outside of the Chamber. During a press conference, Premier Chan Ching expressed her dismay at the “rudeness of the opposition” and claimed that the cause of the brawl was the “needless obstructionism against progress and democracy”.

Responding to the Premier’s comments, vice opposition leader Horatio Jung, now bandaged and out of hospital, said, “I would like to remind the Premier that it is her side that started the fight. It is her party’s parliamentarian that tried to use violence to suppress our freedom of speech. If she would really like to bring peace to the Assembly, she should manage her party and rescind this dangerous, vile bill that will bring the Commonwealth on the road to totalitarianism.”

When asked if and why he was unable to manage the chamber and restore order, Assembly Speaker Leong commented that “violence only breeds violence”. “If I had expelled Members of the Assembly out of the chamber with force, it would only serve to anger that member’s side even further. It would do nothing to stop violence in the Chamber, especially when a majority of members present were involved in the skirmish, and it would only serve as an opportunity for people to question my neutrality as outlined in the Constitution.”

The Speaker has delayed the next session debating the amendment bill till next week to prevent another commotion. So far, there have not been any signs from the Premier’s office nor the Cabinet that the government’s approach to constitutional reform would be changed or altered in any way. Opposition legislators have pledged to continue filibustering the bill until the government agrees to withdraw the bill altogether, hinting that the legislative deadlock will not end anytime soon.

The proposed constitutional amendment would dramatically overhaul the existing electoral system. Plans involve scrapping term limits for lawmakers, increasing the number of years in a term from two to four, and raising the proportional representation threshold for party lists from 2% to 8%. On the presidential front, the Chancellor’s term limit is extended from one term to two terms, meaning incumbent Chancellor Julian Tam can run for re-election in 1404.

Proponents of the amendment claim that constitutional reform can stabilize the fledgling democratic system from political upheaval or external influence by preventing fringe extremist parties from gaining political influence. Opponents criticize it as a “threat to democracy” and claim that the bill “puts Hong Kong on the path to authoritarian rule once more”.

Public opinion is deeply divided, with 49% of poll respondents saying that they are “pleased” or “extremely pleased with the administration’s agenda” and 48% saying that they are “not pleased” or “extremely not pleased”. Premier Chan Ching’s approval rating has dropped 3% from last week to 46%, while Vice Premier Leung’s approval rating has stayed steady at 53%.

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