Probable ballot in sight to outline new premier
A three-way battle is expected within the liberal-democrats (LDP), at the helm of the government coalition in Japan, for the appointment of the new president of the conservative party which will almost certainly be destined to become the next premier of the country. Today’s five candidates had also participated in the race for the leadership of last year, and based on the most recent polls, a ballot appears highly likely, with the first two classified in the first round of votes that will challenge each other again. The 44 -year -old Shinjiro Koizumi, current Minister of Agriculture, and Sanae Takaichi, 64 years old, former Minister of Economic Security, are the favorites; Following Yoshimasa Hayashi, 64, head of cabinet. More detached Takayuki Kobayashi, 50 years old, former Minister of Economic Security, and Toshimitsu Motegi, 69 years old, former Secretary General of the ADP. Candidates will compete for a total of 590 votes from the LDP deputies in Parliament, together with the preferences of the basic members of the party and affiliated bodies. If no candidate gets the majority in the first round, a ballot between the two candidates with the highest score will decide the final outcome. The results of the first round of voting are scheduled for around 2:10 pm (07:10 in Italy).
In the case of a ballot, the final results should be announced around 15:20 (08:20). The vote follows the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba who at the beginning of September announced his intention to resign to take responsibility for the electoral defeat last July, for the renewal of the Senate. Under his guidance, the government coalition formed by the Buddhist Komeito Buddhist Centrist Party, has also lost the majority in the elections for the lower chamber, in October a year ago. It has not happened since 1955, the year of foundation of the party.
