CDP Mulls Unified Opposition Lists for Lower House Election

Tokyo, Jan. 13 (Jiji Press)–The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is considering a plan to establish a new political group with other opposition parties and contest the proportional representation blocs in the next House of Representatives election under a unified list system, it was learned Tuesday. The CDP has already sought support from Komeito, which left the ruling camp led by the Liberal Democratic Party last year, to join the initiative, planning to seek cooperation from the Democratic Party for the People and others, informed sources said. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, also president of the LDP, is reportedly considering dissolving the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country’s parliament, at the start of the ordinary Diet session, to be convened on Jan. 23, to call a snap general election. The CDP apparently aims to rally opposition parties, mainly centrist political forces, through a unified list system and tap into votes critical of the ruling camp. Komeito will soon discuss the CDP’s proposal. A senior party official said, “We cannot allow the prime minister’s political methods, including the (possible Lower House) dissolution this time,” hinting at a willingness to cooperate with the CDP. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]