ALBAWABA - Following being voted leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Japan's soon-to-be prime minister Shigeru Ishiba said that he intends to call for elections on October 27th.
"It is important for the new government to be judged by the people as soon as possible, and if conditions allow, I hope to call a snap election and hold a general election on October 27," Ishiba told reporters.
Ishiba has only stated that he would call an election for the lower house "as soon as possible," but observers think he wants to move quickly to get voters' attention in order to make the most of his recent party victory and give the main opposition Constitutional Democratic party, led by Yoshihiko Noda, as little time as possible to organize.
Ishiba may try to turn to a former opponent for the leadership position in an effort to turn around the LDP's fortunes following months of negative publicity stemming from a funding scandal.
As the face of the campaign, Shinjiro Koizumi, who was eliminated from the race after placing third in the first round of voting, is anticipated to be appointed chairman of the party's election committee.
According to the Kyodo news agency, Ishiba's biggest opponent for the LDP presidency, the ultra-conservative Sanae Takaichi, declined the offer of a top party position, highlighting the challenges he has in unifying the party ahead of the anticipated general election.
On the foreign policy front, Ishiba is anticipated to announce plans to support low-income people in overcoming the cost of living crisis and to push for the formation of an "Asian Nato" to resist North Korean and Chinese threats.
