The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is not running for a second term

During a regular press conference on April 4 on the COVID-19 situation, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (Lam Trinh Nguyet Nga) said she would not run for the next five-year term. She also informed Beijing of the decision last year.

Regarding the reason for not continuing to run for office, Ms. Lam said: “This does not reflect the performance of me or the current Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government. This is my personal wish and wish“.

She told her decision “completely based on” family considerations.

Lam thanked colleagues and family for their support. “If the upcoming administration needs my opinion, I’d be happy to share it,” she added.

The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China on April 2 announced that it would start nominating the election for the position of Chief of the Special Administrative Region from April 3. The election will be held on May 8, after being postponed due to the epidemic situation in Hong Kong. During this time, candidates will be allowed to organize election-related gatherings, complying with epidemic prevention regulations.

The last days of Carrie Lam’s term passed when the wave COVID-19 5th hit Hong Kong. The new Omicron variant causes a sharp increase in the number of cases and deaths in this special area, especially in the unvaccinated elderly group.

At the beginning of the new epidemic, Hong Kong banned flights from 9 countries, including the US and UK, tightened social distancing regulations and closed schools. The city also organized mass self-testing in 3 days.

A senior adviser to the city government said it will continue to commit to a “dynamic no COVID” policy, although some restrictions will be relaxed. The city is also prioritizing reopening connections with the mainland rather than internationally.

Before news of Lam’s discontinuance of the election broke, she was seen as a leading candidate. According to local media, John Lee, Hong Kong’s second most senior official, has set up a team to prepare for the election.