Lam dunk

摘要

THERE is not much doubt who will be declared the next leader of Hong Kong on March 26th: Carrie Lam, who until recently was the head of the territory's civil service. That is because the Communist Party in Beijing prefers her. The "election committee", which will make the decision, is stacked with people who will bow to the party's will. Far more in doubt is whether Mrs Lam will command public support. Her main rival for the job is trying to show that he has more of it. If he is right, that will matter hugely: Hong Kong will soon get a new leader, but also, very probably, more of the social unrest that has beset a series of unpopular ones.