Had Mr Leung won an election, he would at least be able to point to popular support.
Mr Leung cuts a mysterious figure, with an austere personal style that makes him easy to demonise.
But this says more about Mr Tang than about Mr Leung's common touch.
Few others could have managed to turn Mr Leung into the popular choice.
Mr Leung said more land would be made available for housing and targets set for subsidised public housing units.
Mr Leung led government officials in a memorial service, with schools and other public offices also observing a moment of silence.
BBC: Hong Kong mourns victims of Lamma Island boat collision
Mr Leung had aroused controversy by buying a luxury car shortly before announcing a new vehicle tax in his budget speech in March.
Though Peregrine went bust during the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98, Mr Leung emerged unscathed and went on to hold senior jobs, including one at Citigroup Asia.
For Mr Leung, though, populist does not mean broadly popular.
Mr. Leung declined to comment on the case, citing the police investigation that is under way.
Mr. Leung took 58% of the vote Sunday, versus 39% in the most recent polls.
As chief executive, Mr. Leung will have to confront a raft of issues currently facing the city, including high levels of pollution, an overstretched education system and global economic headwinds.
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