Over the weekend, Liberal Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Koichi Hagiuda floated the idea of expanding the ruling coalition, saying that the opposition Democratic Party for the People (DPP) is an ideal candidate. Such a move would strengthen the Sanae Takaichi administration¡¯s position in both chambers of parliament and significantly ease the passage of its legislative agenda.
The LDP had courted the DPP last year but was unable to secure an agreement, in part because DPP chief Yuichiro Tamaki held firmer positions on partnership negotiations. The LDP instead turned to the Japan Innovation Party, which subsequently joined the ruling coalition.
But the political circumstances facing the LDP are markedly different from those of last October. Whereas the coalition was once necessary for the LDP simply to retain control of the government, the landslide victory in February¡¯s Lower House election shifted the power balance immensely. Rather than seeking coalition partners to preserve its hold on government, the LDP is now looking to cement its legislative power.
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