SportsJapan votes in partial legislative elections that have become an expression of democracy in the face of fear

Japan votes in partial legislative elections that have become an expression of democracy in the face of fear

Special edition of the press after the assassination of Shinzo Abe – Rodrigo Reyes Marin / Zuma Press / ContactPhoto

Japan is already voting this Sunday in the partial legislative elections to the Chamber of Councilors, the upper house of the Diet (Parliament), in elections inevitably marked by the assassination on Friday of the country’s former prime minister, Shinzo Abe.

At stake right now are 125 seats: 124 for the first half of the chamber and one to fill a vacancy in the other half. The legislature lasts six years, but 50 percent of the seats are renewed every three.

The result of these three-year elections has become almost unimportant, but it is an indicator of voter confidence some nine months into the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who set a goal that his ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its partner coalition party, Komeito, retain a majority in the upper house, for which they need 55 seats.

Everything seems to indicate that his wishes will be fulfilled. According to this week’s polls, both the PLD and the Komeito will not only maintain their current proportion at least, but the prime minister’s party could even rise in seats, which would cement the president’s control over the party amid extremely turbulent economic times.

The fragmented Japanese opposition, represented mainly by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Democratic Party for the People, may nevertheless maintain some strength in the upper house. The emerging conservative Initiatives from Japan party may take advantage of its growing popularity seen in recent elections.

All the parties defended in unison the holding of elections despite the trauma that Abe’s murder has represented. “Elections are the pillar of democracy and democracy must be defended,” Kishida said on Friday.

“We cannot give in to violence and for this reason we will continue to fight the election campaign until the end. I hope that the people of Japan will think about it and work hard to protect our democracy,” the prime minister said.

Source: Europa Press

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