After months of speculation, Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam announced at a daily press conference that she will not seek a second term, marking an end to her widely unpopular administration.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam unveiled at her daily Covid press conference today that she will not seek a second term while also thanking her team and family for their support.
«There’s only one consideration and that is family. I have told everyone before that family is my first priority in terms of my consideration. They think it’s time for me to go home,» Lam said.
According to a «Reuters» report citing unnamed sources, Lam had met with members of her cabinet this morning and also informed Beijing of her intentions prior to the public announcement.
Lam Administration
A lifelong civil servant, Lam took office in 2017 and oversaw one of the most tumultuous periods of Hong Kong’s history.
Some of the key events that occurred under her administration’s watch include the attempt to push an extradition bill that sparked pro-democracy protests, the enactment of the controversial national security law and the ongoing implementation of zero-Covid policies.
The Lam administration has become widely unpopular across Hong Kong society with approval ratings of just 26.6, according to a recent survey last month by The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute.
John Lee
Also on the same day, chief secretary John Lee reportedly stepped down to officially join the race to replace Lam as Hong Kong’s new chief executive.
The 64-year old Lee was a security official during the 2019 pro-democracy protests and is widely seen as the front runner for the city’s top government role.
