• The Democratic Party votes to dissolve after 31 years of political opposition.
• 97% of members voted for dissolution due to increased pressure from Chinese authorities.
• The decision reflects the broader crackdown on pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong.
• Former leaders expressed dismay at the party's end, highlighting the political regression in the region.
• With this dissolution, almost all significant opposition parties in Hong Kong have ceased to exist.

Hong Kong's Democratic Party, the city's last major opposition party, has officially voted to disband after 31 years of advocacy for democratic reforms. During a meeting on December 14, 117 out of 121 members voted in favor of dissolution, effectively ending a significant chapter in Hong Kong's political landscape, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Founded in 1994, the Democratic Party became known for pushing for democratic reforms; however, increasing pressure from Chinese officials has led to its decline. Senior members reported attempts by Chinese emissaries urging the party to disband to avoid severe consequences, including possible arrests. This culminated in a protracted process of preparations for disbandment that included resolving legal and financial obligations, as detailed by South China Morning Post and Le Monde.

The decision to dissolve comes shortly after the controversial "patriots only" electoral reform, which sidelined the Democratic Party and other pro-democracy groups from significant political influence. The party was once a major force in the Legislative Council but now has no elected representation, marking a significant regression in political freedoms under China's governance, as reported by Reuters and Le Monde.

Among members, there are strong feelings of loss and regret. Former party leader Emily Lau expressed her disbelief that the party ended up dissolving under current conditions, stating, "I don’t understand why the Democratic Party would end up like this." This sentiment reflects a broader concern regarding the diminishing space for dissent in Hong Kong's political environment, according to South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

With the dissolution of the Democratic Party, almost all significant opposition groups have now ceased their activities, including the League of Social Democrats in June, and the Civic Party, which disbanded earlier this year. This series of disbandments has raised alarms about the erosion of democratic institutions in Hong Kong, as noted by South China Morning Post and Le Monde.