Hong Kong’s last active pro-democracy party, League of Social Democrats, disbands amid intense political pressure
The party leadership, as the main reasons for the unanimous decision to distribute “enormous political pressure” and increased concerns for the safety of its members. This movement comes in the midst of a campaign to suppress Beijing’s opposition, especially after the 2019 mass protests and the extensive national security law in 2020. This law led to the prosecution, imprisonment or exile of most pro -democracy activists, and forced a flat to close the civil society group and independent media organizations.
Even if the police supervision and legal risks are intensified, LSD was occasionally the last pro -democracy group to operate street protests and public cabins. At a press conference, the party chair Chan Po-Ying was proud of the deep sorrow at the legacy and closing of the party, accepted that the road went beyond the transition, and he said, “We have no choice”.
Founded in 2006, the LSD was known for its radical approach, colorful protests and vocal criticism of social inequality, and the tightening of Beijing in Hong Kong. At the summit in 2008, the party organized three seats in the legislature of the city and played an important role in the mainstream of a more confrontational pro -democracy agenda.
The decline of the party accelerated after the 2020 National Security Law, claiming that critics “suppress opposition and disabled rights”. The disintegration of the LSD follows the closure of other major opposition parties, including the Civic Party and the Democratic Party in the beginning of 2025.
As a result, Hong Kong is now being left without an organized democracy opposition that can assemble public protests or openly challenges the government. The dissolution of LSD is seen as the final blow to Hong Kong’s official-democracy movement, and indicates the effective end of organized opposition and public protest in Beijing’s city. Chan Po-Ying warned that the “domino effect of the distributions did not end,“ After the Democratic Party, the Social Democrats Union became the Union of Social Democrats. Who is after us? ” International community and human rights observers expressed a serious concern about the narrowing area for civil society and political freedom in Hong Kong.
