ADVERTISEMENT

Opposition unites in election bid to topple Prime Minister

The move capped a stunning few days on Japan's sleepy political scene that has seen the calling of a snap election.

The move capped a stunning few days on Japan's sleepy political scene that has seen the calling of a snap election, the creation of Koike's dynamic new "Party of Hope" and the effective unification of opposition to Abe's conservative government.

The centre-left Democratic Party (DP) approved its leader Seiji Maehara's proposal not to field candidates in the October 22 poll. Members should instead apply to represent Koike's new group, Maehara said.

"We must stop the Abe government and achieve a change of administration," said Maehara, a political veteran and former foreign minister.

ADVERTISEMENT

Maehara said he would stay as chief of the DP but Thursday's decision effectively marked the death of the party, which has been wallowing in poor support ratings.

"No matter how good the product is, it is no use if it can't find a buyer," he told reporters.

The DP and its allies already held fewer than 90 seats in the lower house of parliament, less than one-third of the 287-strong force of Abe's conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

It is a far cry from when the DP swept to power in 2009, ousting the long-dominant LDP.

But the DP's spell in government was brief and it was booted from office in late 2012 by a resurgent Abe-led LDP following a series of mis-steps and policy flip-flops.

ADVERTISEMENT

The party also came under fire for its handling of the tsunami-triggered Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.

According to a poll in business daily Nikkei less than a week ago, 44 percent of Japanese planed to vote for the LDP, while only eight percent favoured the main opposition.

But the emergence of Koike's "Party of Hope" has transformed the political landscape and new polls show Abe's lead has been cut dramatically.

Koike, 65, who became Tokyo governor in a landslide last year, has said her party aspires to offer an alternative to the long-governing LDP and a break from old-school politics and links to vested interests.

Japanese voters will go to the polls on October 22 after Abe called a snap election, apparently in a bid to capitalise on the weak state of the DP.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT