Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Monday she would not seek a second five-year term. "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 told a regular press briefing. She said she had informed China's leaders about her decision. Hong Kong's leadership election is due to take place on 8 May after it was postponed for six weeks in March in light of the city's worst coronavirus outbreak. Thecity's chief secretary John Lee, the No. 2 official in the global financial hub, is the front runner to take over from Lam. Hong Kong's leader is elected by a committee made up of lawmakers, representatives of various industries and professions, as well as pro-Beijing representatives like deputies to China's parliament. It is this 1,500-member election committee, effectively tacked with Beijing loyalists, that will choose the next chief executive. Lam's tumultuous record Lam, a former civil servant, was sworn into office as chief executive by Chinese President Xi Jinping on 1 July, 2017. Hong Kong became more isolated globally during her term due to a crackdown on pro-democracy protests and rigid COVID-19 restrictions. The city was initially slated to hold the chief executive election on 27 March but the poll was postponed for six weeks until 8 May in light of the pandemic. Lam had been tipped as the race front-runner, but she said her decision had been conveyed to the central government in Beijing last year and was met with "respect and understanding."
