The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) chose a veteran leader to steer it toward a more middle-of-the-road policy stance on Monday, electing former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda as its president.

The 67-year old Noda, who defeated three younger candidates, is looking ahead to a possible snap election, in which he will face a new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The LDP elects its own new chief on Friday, who will become Japan’s next prime minister. The new prime minister is widely expected to dissolve the Lower House of parliament for a general election in the near term, rather than wait until its term of office expires in October 2025.