Japan's Political Landscape In Turmoil As Election Leaves No Party With Majority | Dawn News English
Uploaded: Oct 28, 2024Japan's political landscape is in turmoil after the recent lower house elections, where Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalition was punished, resulting in no party securing a majority. , ...
Uploaded: Oct 28, 2024
Japan's political landscape is in turmoil after the recent lower house elections, where Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalition was punished, resulting in no party securing a majority. , ...
Major defeat:
Japanese politics in turmoil as ruling party loses majority
Japan experienced rare political turmoil on Monday as it grappled with the results of Sunday’s snap elections that snatched away the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) majority in parliament for the first time in 15 years.
Called by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was named only last month after his predecessor Fumio Kishida left office over a series of corruption scandals, the general election was expected to help secure the new PM’s mandate and bolster much-needed public support for the LDP.
It did neither, however, as Sunday’s results dealt a shocking blow to the ruling party which has held power in Japan almost without interruption since its creation in 1955.
It did neither, however, as Sunday’s results dealt a shocking blow to the ruling party which has held power in Japan almost without interruption since its creation in 1955.
Faced with a growing cost-of-living crisis, disgruntled voters shunned the scandal-ridden LDP by taking away 68 of its seats in the House of Representatives, the more powerful of Japan’s two-chamber parliament.
Along with Komeito, LDP’s coalition partner, both parties managed to hold on to only 215 seats (down from 279), falling short of the 233 seats needed for a majority. The LDP saw a number of veteran lawmakers lose their places in parliament, including the current agricultural minister and other heavyweights who have served in key cabinet and party posts.
- Meanwhile the main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), scored big in the election by winning 148 seats – up from 96 – but failed to secure a majority. To do so, it would have to join forces with other opposition parties, ranging from communists to conservatives.
The LDP lost its majority in parliament for the first time since its unprecedented defeat in 2009. Why?
PM Ishiba and the LDP underestimated public anger over a major fundraising scandal. Voters also did not approve of the LDP's ties to the Unification Church. Ishiba had a reputation as a reform-minded politician, but when he came to power as PM, he seemed to bow to pressure from other members of the party.
- He called an election without adequately addressing the party's scandals, and he is paying the price for it.
Ishiba has refused to resign as prime minister despite his party’s dismal performance in the election. What could happen next?
Ishiba can still hang on as prime minister. He either needs to convince another party to join the coalition government, or he can rule with a minority government.
It's possible that centre-right opposition parties will not want to formally become part of the government because their supporters would disapprove of them joining hands with the LDP.
If there is a minority government, the centre-right opposition parties can exercise influence over government policy from outside the government, as Ishiba will face the threat of a no-confidence motion if he angers them too much.
Whether or not one of the two centre-right opposition parties joins the coalition government, Ishiba will have to make big compromises if he wants political stability.
It's possible that centre-right opposition parties will not want to formally become part of the government because their supporters would disapprove of them joining hands with the LDP.
If there is a minority government, the centre-right opposition parties can exercise influence over government policy from outside the government, as Ishiba will face the threat of a no-confidence motion if he angers them too much.
Whether or not one of the two centre-right opposition parties joins the coalition government, Ishiba will have to make big compromises if he wants political stability.
Is the opposition likely to come together to form a coalition?
The major opposition parties are unlikely to form a grand coalition. The CDP has too many ideological differences with Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) and the Democratic Party for the People (DPP).
The major opposition parties are unlikely to form a grand coalition. The CDP has too many ideological differences with Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) and the Democratic Party for the People (DPP).
There are major policy differences between the DPP and CDP over nuclear energy: the CDP wants to reduce reliance on nuclear power, while the DPP wants to build new reactors.
Ishin and the DPP also disagree with the CDP on how or if Japan's constitution needs to be revised. The DPP and Ishin are closer to the LDP on security issues than they are to the CDP.
Without a stable majority, the LDP and Komeito will have to make big compromises. It will also be much easier for the opposition parties to stall the passage of legislation.
If the LDP and Komeito can't form a cooperative relationship with the DPP or Ishin, there will be political gridlock.
Ishin and the DPP also disagree with the CDP on how or if Japan's constitution needs to be revised. The DPP and Ishin are closer to the LDP on security issues than they are to the CDP.
Without a stable majority, the LDP and Komeito will have to make big compromises. It will also be much easier for the opposition parties to stall the passage of legislation.
If the LDP and Komeito can't form a cooperative relationship with the DPP or Ishin, there will be political gridlock.
Does Sunday’s election outcome signal the end of the LDP’s dominance in Japanese politics?
The LDP still has a chance to change and regain the support of the public. Ishiba said today [Monday] that he sees the election as a call for such changes.
They would need to take serious steps to show that they will not engage in political funding scandals. They could introduce more restrictions on political donations, as well as more transparency about how political funding is spent.
If he fails to convince the public that the party is changing, they'll likely suffer a setback in the Summer 2025 Upper House election.
The LDP still has a chance to change and regain the support of the public. Ishiba said today [Monday] that he sees the election as a call for such changes.
They would need to take serious steps to show that they will not engage in political funding scandals. They could introduce more restrictions on political donations, as well as more transparency about how political funding is spent.
If he fails to convince the public that the party is changing, they'll likely suffer a setback in the Summer 2025 Upper House election.
No comments:
Post a Comment