Hong Kong’s Last Pro-Democracy Opposition Party Has Announced It Is Disbanding Due To "Political Pressure"
Founded in 2006, the League of Social Democrats (LSD) is the third major opposition party to disband in 2025.
Hong Kong’s last pro-democracy party, the League of Social Democrats (LSD), has disbanded after facing “immense political pressure” under the national security law.
Since China imposed the national security law in Hong Kong in 2020.
Hong Kong authorities have used the law to crack down on dissent and political opposition in Hong Kong.
Authorities have closed down major newspapers, arrested activists and journalists and sentenced lawmakers speaking out for Hong Kong’s freedoms and democracy.
On Sunday, June 29, Hong Kong’s democracy movement suffered another major blow, with the LSD party announcing it had disbanded, making it the third major opposition party to disband in 2025.
Founded in 2006, the party was known for its more aggressive forms of protests, such as throwing eggs or other foods towards pro-China lawmakers.
It was one of the few parties that still staged protests following the national security law crackdown.
LSD’s party chair, Chan Po-Ying, said the decision comes after “immense political pressure” and “careful deliberation”, taking into account the well-being of their members.
“We have now reached the end of the road,” she said, “We feel a deep sense of guilt because we understand that, under the domino effect, the League of Social Democrats will not be the last organization to announce its 'voluntary' dissolution.”
Chan said the “one country, two systems” principle, which had allowed Hong Kong its own government and freedoms different from those in China, is no longer present.
"’One country, two systems’ has already become ‘One country, one system’,” Chan said.
In early 2025, Hong Kong’s biggest opposition party, the Democratic Party, voted to disband, also citing political pressure.
Hong Kong now lacks a formal opposition party, as China allows only candidates it has approved to run for office, with most opposition figures banned, jailed or exiled.
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Isha Jain
