Japan's LDP to Hold Presidential Election Sept. 20

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, July 23, 2003

Japan's LDP to Hold Presidential Election Sept. 20

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The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) plans to hold its presidential election on Sept. 20, before the term of the incumbent, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, expires at the end of that month, members of the ruling party's election board said Wednesday.

Campaigning for the election is to begin Sept. 8, with the 355 Diet members of both houses belonging to the LDP -- who are each entitled to a full vote -- choosing their leader 12 days later, the board members said.

Voting among other LDP members and supporters of the party nationwide, allocated a combined 300 votes, will take place between the start of the campaigning and Sept. 19 and be compiled by the LDP's respective prefectural chapters.

The election schedule proposed by the board will be formalized at the LDP's General Council meeting to be held Friday, the members said.

Koizumi was first chosen as LDP president in April 2001 and also took the premier's post at the time because the LDP-led tripartite coalition has a majority in the House of Representatives, which has the final say in selecting the premier.

His power base in the party remains weak largely because the reform-minded prime minister has refused to follow many of the LDP's traditional policy-making practices.

However, the anti-Koizumi camp within the LDP appears unable to come up with a strong candidate who can challenge the prime minister.

Source: Agencies

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