The Liberal Democratic Party will hold its presidential election Sunday under difficult circumstances as a result of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's abrupt decision to resign. His irresponsible behavior of announcing his resignation just two days after his delivery of a policy speech in the Diet has given rise to a crucial question: Is the LDP capable of electing a politician with the qualifications to be the nation's prime minister?
The new LDP president will automatically become the next prime minister since the LDP-Komeito ruling coalition controls the Lower House. Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, former chief Cabinet secretary of the Koizumi administration, and LDP secretary general Mr. Taro Aso, former foreign minister of the Abe administration, are vying for the LDP's top post. How they conduct their campaign, their policy proposals, and who wins will greatly influence the LDP's fate.
The next LDP president and next prime minister will face a big problem because the ruling coalition lost its majority in the Upper House in the July 29 election. The opposition-controlled Upper House can vote down bills passed by the Lower House, although the Lower House, in which the ruling coalition holds more than two-thirds of its seas, can override Upper House votes. The LDP presidential candidates should make clear on which bills the LDP will seek cooperation from the Democratic Party of Japan, the No. 1 party in the Upper House, and which bills the LDP will force through the Diet.