Posted on 08/08/2005 2:46:19 AM PDT by Michael Goldsberry
TOKYO — Japan's Cabinet decided today to dissolve the lower house of Parliament, paving the way for snap elections, national broadcaster NHK reported.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi called an emergency meeting of the Cabinet earlier in the day following the defeat of postal reform legislation in the upper house of Parliament.
Koizumi had threatened to call a snap election if members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party defected to the opposition camp to vote against the proposal.
Does Japan get to re-elect the same people, or do new candidates have to run?
TOKYO — Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Monday he will dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap general election on Sept 11 after the House of Councillors voted down a set of bills to privatize Japan Post with a revolt by a greater-than-expected number of party lawmakers.
Koizumi, who doubles as LDP president, also said he will not approve party members who voted against the bills in the lower chamber as candidates in the upcoming election. The upper house rejected the bills by 125 to 108 votes, as 22 LDP members joined the opposition camp in casting votes against them while eight other LDP members abstained from voting. (Kyodo News)
Well fine, but it's still not clear: When this "snap" election is run, can incumbents win back their seats?
I guess I'm missing the connection between new elections and failed postal privatization, and nuclear arms.
Interesting. Thanks for posting.
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