After a remarkable performance in Sunday’s general election, the Democratic Party for the People is increasingly emerging as the leading kingmaker party ahead of a crucial Lower House vote to formally name the prime minister.
After the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner, Komeito, lost their majority in the assembly for the first time in 15 years, the DPP — which quadrupled its seats to 28 in the election — is expected to sway the outcome of the upcoming vote, potentially in a way that would benefit current Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who also serves as LDP president.
While he is being courted from all sides, DPP leader Yuichiro Tamaki has repeatedly denied any intention to join the LDP-Komeito coalition, noting that the 28 DPP lawmakers will put his name down for prime minister in both the first round of voting in the Lower House and in a runoff.
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