Heavy, heavy defeat in #dcelection and weekend of peace should be grasped by govt as real opportunity to de-escalate and move towards political solution to #hongkong protests. (short thread)

Election results can be used as face-saving excuse to respond in part to 5 demands without giving impression the govt is caving to "violence". Govt message should be 1) we hear the peaceful voice of the people and will respond in kind.

2) as gesture of goodwill all current protest-related charges that involve only property damage or violations of Public Order Ordinance will be dropped. (does not apply to any future charges).

3) govt will incr resources demanded by external experts for police watchdog body and take steps to ensure its institutional independence

4) several ExCo heads will roll as penance; Lam symbolically commits to not running for 2nd term
5) serious dialogue on political reform committed to in near-term.

Will any of this happen? Knowing this govt prob not, but there's a small window of opportunity here & govt would be well-advised to take advantage of it. If they do nothing to respond this week & protests return again next weekend, it will be ever-harder to solve the crisis.