Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering endorsing lawmakers who were punished for failing to report political funds to run as its official candidates in the upcoming general election, sources familiar with the plan said, in a setback for the party’s new leader Shigeru Ishiba. Despite Ishiba’s pledge to revamp the party and restore public trust in politics, this move could draw fresh criticism about the LDP’s handling of the slush funds scandal.
The Oct 27 election will be the first since the mishandling of political funds came to light in late 2023. The LDP is considering allowing members who were reprimanded or received lighter punishments to run on the party’s ticket if local chapters want to endorse them.
As LDP chief and premier, Ishiba faces the challenge of balancing conservative members’ interests for a stable government. A poll showed that 75.6% of respondents disagree with the idea of the LDP formally endorsing lawmakers implicated in the political funds scandal, highlighting the difficulty the ruling party may encounter in securing public support.
© KYODO
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