Tokyo: Prime Minister Taro Aso has decided not to call a general election this year, given the need to tackle the global financial crisis and deepening signs of economic recession, sources close to Aso said yesterday.
Although his ruling Liberal Democratic Party's coalition partner, the New Komeito party, is still calling for an election to be held on Nov. 30,as has been widely speculated, Aso has told coalition members, "For the time being I simply cannot create a political vacuum. I will give priority to economic and financial measures," according to the sources.
Aso's decision not to call an election at least until early next year could well trigger an outcry from the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, which may up the ante in stalling current Diet deliberations in an attempt to force an election it has repeatedly called for.
Slumping support rates for his Cabinet appear to be behind Aso s plan, and he will likely focus on implementing the economic stimulus measures and hope for a rise in popularity, analysts say. Aso met New Komeito leader Akihiro Ota and other top leaders of the coalition partner Sunday night, when he is believed to have revealed his decision against calling an early election but failed to secure an agreement, the sources said. Ota will likely again urge Aso to reconsider his decision at their meeting scheduled for tomorrow but Aso is unlikely to change his mind, the sources said.
The immediate tasks facing Aso include drawing up and executing more economic stimulus measures and soon enacting a bill to bolster the banking industry with an option to enable public fund injections into local financial institutions.
