Int’l media expected establishment forces to hold strong

International media coverage of Macau’s election has been generally scarce, though a few outlets chipped in with their analysis and predictions.

The South China Morning Post reported over the weekend that the pro-establishment bloc was expected to retain its legislative dominance. It speculated that voters would react poorly to perceived criticism directed by some pro-democrats toward the intervention of the Macau Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army last month.

However, political commentator Larry So told the SCMP that the younger democrats in the likes of Sulu Sou might fare better in the election with their fresher, arguably untarnished reputation.

“Given the highly fragmented nature of the democrats, both old and new generation, the likely beneficiaries may be the new and younger candidates who project an image of freshness and necessary change, especially for some voters who are deeply unhappy with the government performance before and after Typhoon Hato,” he said, as cited by the SCMP.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s The Standard described the political landscape in the MSAR as “rather simple.”

“With only about 300,000 voters, it’s absolutely a foregone conclusion pro-Beijing forces will continue to dominate the legislature by overwhelming numbers,” it noted, in agreement with general forecasts. “Sunday’s poll will produce a body that will continue to lend support to the administration.”

The newspaper also speculated, prior to the results, on the consequences of the “likely” election of Sou. The Standard suggested that Sou might throw a spanner into the ‘business-as-usual’ works of the Legislative Assembly through filibustering tactics.

The Economist covered Macau’s election in a short article in this week’s edition, highlighting the MSAR’s apparent political apathy when compared with its much larger neighbor. It said that local residents were not keen to press for greater democracy in the territory, as has been the trend in Hong Kong. DB