Japan may have its first female prime minister – a new leader will be elected today – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

The Liberal Democratic Party (DLP) is to elect a new party leader, after current leader Fumio Kishida announced that he will not run for re-election in August. The DLP is Japan’s ruling party and Kishida is the incumbent prime minister, meaning the party’s new leader will take over the prime ministership. Kishida has been prime minister for three years, and over that period has become less popular, partly as a result of inflation in the country. – I felt that my departure was necessary to restore people’s trust in the DLP. I have made this decision based on what I believe is best for the people, Kishida said when announcing his election. Could be historic. Altogether there are nine candidates standing for election. The election takes place over two rounds, where two of the nine candidates will be selected after the first round. The winner of the second round will become the new party leader and will be sworn in as prime minister on Tuesday. Of the nine candidates, three were singled out as favorites in advance. After the first round, we are left with two candidates, who represent two very different directions. 1. Sanae Takaichi (63) Sanae Takaich has extensive political experience. She was one of the candidates in the previous leadership election, but finished in third place. Photo: AP Takaichi has extensive experience in Japanese politics, and has held a number of ministerial positions since 2006, most recently with responsibility for the economy. She is described as deeply conservative, with Margaret Thatcher as her role model. If Takaichi wins, she will become Japan’s first female prime minister. 2. Shigeru Ishiba (67) Shigeru Ishiba is more center-oriented than his more conservative counterpart. Photo: Kim Kyung-Hoon / Reuters Ishiba is seen as liberal and free-thinking, not unlike his younger counterpart Shinjirō Koizumi – who was one of the favorites to go out in the first round. He has good support among the people, but is less popular in his own party. His popularity among voters will be a good card to have next year, when there are government elections. The second round starts around nine o’clock Norwegian time. Published 27/09/2024, at 07.30 Updated 27.09.2024, at 07.38



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