Some Ldp Members Want Suga To Succeed Abe


Some LDP members want Suga to succeed Abe

Several politicians have signaled their intention to seek the premiership since Prime Minister Abe Shinzo announced he would resign for health reasons, while some in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's hope to see Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide succeed Abe.

LDP's Policy Research Council Chairperson Kishida Fumio, former LDP Secretary-General Ishiba Shigeru and former internal affairs minister Noda Seiko have shown strong interest in becoming the next leader.

Suga wrote on his blog on Saturday that he will do his utmost to carry out his responsibilities to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people.

An increasing number of people in the party want him to succeed Abe in order to continue policies, including the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Secretary-General Nikai Toshihiro and Diet Affairs Committee Chair Moriyama Hiroshi agreed to hold a general meeting of LDP members in both houses of the Diet sometime around September 13 to 15.

They met on Saturday evening to discuss how and when to choose Abe's successor.

Under normal circumstances, all LDP Diet lawmakers and party members nationwide would vote in an election.

But they concurred that this time a faster option should be taken to avoid any political vacuum. They will ask only LDP Diet lawmakers and representatives of prefectural chapters to cast votes.

Party factions have not forwarded any candidates so far, and have been closely watching each other.

Candidates could begin their activities in earnest after Tuesday, when the ruling party will decide when and how the next leader will be chosen.