Suga To Decide After Party Fixes Election Method


Suga to decide after party fixes election method

Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide is likely to wait to announce his intention to run to succeed Prime Minister Abe Shinzo until how and when the method of choosing a successor is agreed.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party is likely to decide on the method of selecting its next leader on Tuesday.

Usually, all LDP Diet lawmakers and party members nationwide would vote in an election.

But this time, party executives are to do away with the vote by party members across the country. They are planning to choose the leader at a general meeting of LDP members in both houses of the Diet sometime around September 13 to 15.

When asked by reporters about his candidacy at a news conference on Monday, Suga said that this is a place for a briefing on the government's position. He added that he would refrain from commenting on the selection of the LDP's leader, including his potential candidacy.

Suga also said he finds it very regrettable that Abe is resigning, as he has been serving with him as Chief Cabinet Secretary since the beginning of his tenure.

He said that without close collaboration, the government cannot run smoothly.

He added that he usually met Abe twice a day to report to him on issues and receive instructions and that is how he has worked for the last 7 years and 8 months.

Suga also noted that the current administration should do its best amid the coronavirus pandemic to safeguard the lives and health of the people until a new administration is up and running.