Japan: media, premier election on 17 September

(ANSA) - TOKYO, AUGUST 30 - The Japanese Parliament will hold an extraordinary session on September 17 to elect the successor of the outgoing premier Shinzo Abe. Government sources anticipate this to the Kyodo agency, explaining that the date will follow three days after the appointment of the president of the Liberal-Democratic party, who will be able to become prime minister with the vote of the parliamentary majority.
    The general secretary of the party at the head of the ruling coalition, Toshihiro Nikai, will communicate a decision next Tuesday on the path to be taken for the appointment of the new premier.
    According to political analysts, considering that Abe has resigned before the natural expiration of the legislature, the election is more likely to be organized in a restricted way, with the vote of the members of Parliament and the three representatives of each of the 47 prefectures, for a total of 535 voters , with possible ballot in case the candidate does not obtain a majority of more than 50%. In the meantime, the number of contenders for the leadership of the government widens.
    The last to communicate his intention to run is the head of the Cabinet, Yoshihide Suga. Considered the most loyal ally of the outgoing premier. Suga, 71, has been the executive's spokesperson since Abe's second term in 2012, and although he does not belong to any political faction within the Liberal Democratic party, he is among the favorites to take over the government. (HANDLE).