Japan's ruling party seals new coalition as Takaichi set to become 1st female premier
Liberal Democratic Party and opposition Japan Innovation Party form alliance as Japan elects new premier Tuesday
LDP leader Sanae Takaichi
- General elections are due in October 2027 if new coalition decides against snap polls
ISTANBUL
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and opposition Japan Innovation Party (JIP) signed on Monday a deal to form a coalition, paving the way for newly elected LDP leader Sanae Takaichi to become the country's first female prime minister.
The agreement was signed by Takaichi and JIP chief Hirofumi Yoshimura.
This makes “almost certain” that Takaichi will be elected the country’s first female prime minister, when lawmakers vote on Tuesday, since the end of World War II.
In her first remarks after signing the pact, Takaichi said the LDP's coalition with JIP marks "big step" for political stability of Japan, Kyodo News reported.
Takaichi, who was elected LDP’s first female president early this month, faced initial setback when the party’s long-time ally Komeito party ended its 26-year coalition.
A staunch conservative, Takaichi commands support of 196 LDP lawmakers but a prime minister requires at least 233 votes in the 465-member lower house of parliament.
With 35 votes of the JIP, Takaichi’s numbers surge to 231.
The 64-year-old conservative would also need four votes, besides 19 from the JIP, in the 248-seated upper house to win the election.
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has 148 seats, while the Democratic Party for the People has 27 and LDP’s former ally Komeito commands support of 24 lawmakers.
If no other party or independents vote for Takaichi, or other opposition parties do not stand behind a single candidate, the premier election is likely to go to the second round, in which the LDP candidate’s win is certain.
The LDP has ruled Japan almost uninterruptedly for past 75 years, except for six years.
If elected, Takaichi will run a minority government with outside support to her Cabinet by the JIP, which has made a list of 12 demands including reducing the number of parliament seats by 10%.
The general elections in the country are due by October 2027, if the LDP-JIP coalition does not decide to call snap polls.
*Aamir Latif contributed to story from Pakistan
Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.
