A deepening governing crisis in Japan has led to the resignation of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. His departure highlights the immense difficulty the Liberal Democratic Party faces in trying to rule without a majority in a divided parliament.
The LDP’s long era of dominance was shattered by recent election results that stripped its coalition of control in both legislative chambers. This has resulted in political gridlock, forcing the government to compromise with a splintered opposition or risk having its agenda blocked.
This paralysis ultimately doomed Ishiba’s premiership. Unable to deliver on his policy goals and facing constant pressure, his leadership faltered. His resignation is a direct result of this new, more challenging political reality.
The next LDP leader will not have an easy path. They must be an adept political strategist, capable of forging alliances and building consensus in a way that many of their predecessors, who enjoyed comfortable majorities, never had to.
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