Team News Riveting
With Yoshihide Suga officially taking over as the new prime minister of Japan, Tokyo’s political corridor is abuzz with talks whether the new leader might dissolve the Diet for a snap election.
Lower House lawmakers’ terms are scheduled to end on October 21, 2021, which means an election must be held by then at the latest. Just before that, Tokyo has to host the Olympic games.
While some analysts say the mid-term poll can be held as early as October 25 while others claim it may be early next year.
Political observers feel most new administrations enjoy a brief honeymoon period where media polls show them enjoying a fairly high degree of popularity.
As president of the Liberal Democratic Party, Suga may decide that now is the time to take advantage of any boost in public support and call an election in the hope of firming up the party’s strength in the Lower House.
Suga has been elected LDP president and appointed prime minister by the two chambers of the Diet to succeed Shinzo Abe. But the voters have not given him a mandate yet.
If he were to call an election and win a mandate from the voting public, he will be in a better position to push forward his policies and strengthen his political base.
