Chaos in LDP Leadership Election as Major Favorite Shinjiro Koizumi Faces Being Discarded After Election
Under the patronage of former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, and other elders, Koizumi is off to a grand start, but behind the scenes, his camp is already making blunders.
No one desires a long-term administration under Shinjiro Koizumi.
“If I become Prime Minister, I want to dissolve the House of Representatives as soon as possible and seek the public’s trust regarding my reform plan.”
Former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (43) declared this boldly at his candidacy announcement on September 6. However, political journalist Koichi Sumitani expressed skepticism, stating, “Even if he wins the leadership election, the situation afterward will be challenging.”
“Currently, over 50% of the LDP’s House of Representatives members are first-term or second-term legislators with weak political bases. For them, whose face appears on the campaign poster is crucial. They are likely to cling to Shinjiro Koizumi, especially considering the upcoming elections. If he dissolves the House of Representatives right after becoming party leader, he might win the election as a kind of congratulatory gesture, but he will likely reveal his weaknesses before the House of Councillors election next summer.”
Despite already being criticized for “lack of experience,” it remains uncertain whether he can navigate the regular Diet session, Sumitani continues.
“In the Budget Committee, the opposition will send their top players, leading to one-on-one debates in the Diet. His lack of experience will likely become apparent here. If his shortcomings are exposed, the outcome of the House of Councillors election could be disastrous. Even if he wins the House of Representatives election, he could face a significant defeat in the House of Councillors, potentially losing the majority. Already, many members of the House of Councillors are expressing concern that having Koizumi as the new party leader could be risky.”
In fact, a mid-level LDP member whispered to FRIDAY, “It wouldn’t be surprising if calls to oust Shinjiro started right after the budget passes.”
“The next House of Representatives election will spotlight deep-rooted issues the LDP has faced, such as under-the-table funds and the former Unification Church. It will be a battle where defeat is anticipated. We need a way to navigate the situation where ‘the LDP falls from power.’ That’s where Shinjiro comes in. In other words, he could be used as a disposable asset in just one election. No one desires a long-term administration under him.”
