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Owen Fung

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying would have an advantage if he sought re-election, while it was unlikely that both his top aides would resign at the same time to take part in the race, executive councillor and legislator Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said.
Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme, the New People’s Party lawmaker said she thought Leung would “definitely” seek re-election.
“Mr Leung is very confident,” she said, stressing that the chief executive was currently the “top seed” in the race.
When asked why she thought Leung had an advantage over other candidates, Ip said the incumbent usually had the upper hand.
“Since he is the incumbent, he has ways to gain support from the 1,200 people [in the election committee]. He may already know how many votes he has secured,” she said.
It is widely speculated that Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah may throw their hat in the ring for the top job.
Ip, however, said it would be unlikely for both officials to resign to take part in the chief executive election.
“But since both financial secretary and chief secretary are only one step away from the top post, they would think about [running for chief executive],” she said. “Even if they weren’t thinking about it, there would be others encouraging them to do so.”
She added, however, that it would be “awkward” for either of the officials to run against Leung.
“How can you attack your boss?” she asked, explaining that Lam and Tsang were also involved in making government policies.
When asked whether she would consider running, Ip kept her reply ambiguous, refusing to give a definite date for when she might announce her candidacy.
“I consider many things and not just this. This is a major event in Hong Kong. Of course I think about it,” she said.


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Chief executive election 2017

‘He may already know how many votes he has’: CY Leung ‘top seed’ in Hong Kong chief executive race, Regina Ip says

Lawmaker Regina Ip says she thinks Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying will definitely seek re-election. Photo: Nora Tam

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Veteran lawmaker thinks incumbent has advantage, says it’s unlikely both Finance Secretary John Tsang and Chief Secretary Carrie Lam resign to contest election


Leung Chun-ying (CY Leung)

Regina Ip