Japanese PM Shinzo Abe calls snap election next month
Shinzo Abe said he will dissolve the more powerful house in Japan’s two-chamber parliament on Thursday.
Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has announced he will dissolve the lower house of parliament and call a snap election for next month.
Mr Abe said at a news conference that he will dissolve the more powerful house in Japan’s two-chamber parliament on Thursday when it convenes after a three-month summer recess.
The election is due to be held October 22.
Support ratings for Mr Abe’s government have begun to rebound as attacks on its cronyism scandals have faded during parliament’s recess, while opposition parties are regrouping. Opposition MPs said there is no need to hold elections now.
Mr Abe said: “I expect opposition criticism is going to focus on (the scandals), and it’s going to be a very difficult election.”
Analysts believe his ruling Liberal Democratic Party will retain a majority, but could lose the two-thirds majority it holds with its coalition partner, the Komei party.
However, a big enough victory could help Mr Abe extend his hold on power. His three-year term as party leader ends next September, and he will have to fend off any challengers from within the LDP to remain prime minister.
