The Liberal Democratic Party's presidential election has become more active within the party following Prime Minister Suga's abandonment of candidacy.
In addition to former Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Kishida, who has announced his candidacy, and former Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Takaichi, who has expressed his willingness, Minister of State for Regulatory Reform Kono and Acting Secretary-General Noda are considering candidacy, and former Secretary-General Ishiba is also considering the candidacy. We will assess the situation and decide what to do.
Prime Minister Suga announced at an extraordinary board meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party on the 3rd that he had abandoned his candidacy for the presidential election to be held this month because he wanted to concentrate on dealing with the new coronavirus.
The presidential election is expected to be held as scheduled on the 17th of this month and the 29th of the ballot counting, but the movement within the party has become active in response to the statement of Prime Minister Suga.
Former political research chairman Kishida, who has announced his candidacy, said, "I will not change my mind," and will continue to carry out activities that are conscious of obtaining party membership votes, such as inspections of various places and online meetings.
We are also planning to start full-scale efforts to reach out to members of the Diet other than the Kishida faction.
In addition, regarding former Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Takaichi, who is eager to run for candidacy, it was found that former Prime Minister Abe told the executives of the Hosoda faction of his former faction on the 3rd that he would support Mr. Takaichi. ..
Securing the 20 nominees needed for candidacy was an issue, but it seems that the trends of Hosoda members will also be affected.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Regulatory Reform, Kono, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aso, the chairman of the Aso faction to which he belongs, and informed him that he was considering a candidacy.
However, Mr. Aso is negative about actively supporting him as a faction, and Mr. Kono decides to respond in cooperation with young members of the Diet who are close to him.
In addition, Acting Secretary-General Noda has a policy of informing multiple members of the Diet of their willingness to run for candidacy and calling for cooperation in securing recommenders.
In addition, former Secretary-General Ishiba has decided to assess the situation as "I want to make a decision at the right time."
Under these circumstances, Prime Minister Suga met with Secretary-General Nikai and Chairman of the Diet Countermeasures Committee Moriyama at the parliamentary dormitory on the night of the 3rd, and exchanged opinions on how to respond to the presidential election.
Then, I confirmed that I would keep in touch while observing the movements surrounding the candidates.
Each faction within the party will hold meetings after the beginning of the week to start full-scale discussions on how to respond.