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Pro-Beijing candidates threaten progress in Hong Kong

07/09/2008

Hong Kong's pro-democracy parties are expected to receive a setback in today's legislative elections.

Only half of the Chinese special administrative region's lawmakers are up for election, meaning pro-democracy groups cannot afford to win less than two-thirds of the seats up for grabs if they are to retain their crucial veto.

Sliding economic conditions have led to poverty, increased inflation and wage concerns, lowering the importance of the democratic agenda in the eyes of many.

A wave of nationalism in the wake of the successful Olympic Games is also contributing, while China's promise last year to grant universal suffrage by 2017 has also had its effect.

Pro-democracy groups are expected to slip below the 26 seats they won in 2004's vote as a result.