Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, after being re-elected prime minister, in Tokyo, Japan, November 11, 2024. KIM KYUNG-HOON / REUTERS After recent legislative elections, disastrous for his party, Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, was re-elected on Monday, November 11, following a vote by Parliament. Mr. Ishiba was reappointed to his post by the elected representatives of the lower house of Parliament with 221 votes, against 160 for his rival, Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party (PDC). A second round of voting had to be organized, in the absence of a majority, to decide between the two candidates who came first in the first round – a first since 1994. Ishiba took office at the beginning of October, after being elected to head of the ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), and quickly called early elections, which he hoped would consolidate his mandate as head of government. Instead, voters unhappy with recurring inflation for more than two years and frustrated in recent months by a “slush fund” scandal that helped bring down his predecessor, Fumio Kishida, have inflicted the LDP with its worst ever result since 2009. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers The new Japanese Prime Minister wants an “Asian NATO” Read later Discontent within the party Consequently, the Archipelago could find itself in a political impasse with a Parliament without a clear majority. On the one hand, the conservative PLD and its ally, the center-right Komeito, have lost the absolute majority but nevertheless remain the largest bloc in the powerful lower house of Parliament. On the other hand, the opposition parties are deeply divided on many key issues and incapable of overthrowing Ishiba, but nevertheless remain essential to pass laws. The ruling bloc will now have to deal with other blocs to hope to have its program adopted, and has asked for help from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a small centrist group which has agreed to cooperate piecemeal, rather than join the coalition. In its negotiations with the LDP, the DPP has already demanded tax cuts and energy subsidies, which economists say would significantly reduce the government’s tax revenue. Alongside these delicate negotiations, Mr Ishiba is also facing discontent within his party, which lost dozens of seats – including those held by ministers – in the October 27 election. Furthermore, Donald Trump’s victory in the United States could also complicate his task. Washington could very quickly impose new customs duties and demand from Tokyo an increase in its military spending, deemed insufficient by Mr. Trump. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers “In Japan, an electoral defeat for… a dish of noodles, symbol of the return of inflation” Read later Le Monde with AFP Reuse this content
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