Ishiba Re-Elected as Japan's Prime Minister
The Facts
Shigeru Ishiba, leader of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Monday was designated for another term as prime minister by a vote in the two houses of the Diet.
This comes after a runoff vote in the lower House of Representatives — the first since 1994 — against Yoshihiko Noda of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, 221 to 160. Earlier, the House of Councillors voted to re-elect Ishiba.
The Spin
Narrative A
While the ruling coalition failed to secure a majority in the lower house in the snap general election last month, it's only natural that Ishiba stays as prime minister given that his political party remains the largest in the country. In fact, while his approval ratings are low, polls show most people believe Ishiba must remain in office.
Narrative B
That Ishiba won the parliamentary vote to stay prime minister doesn't change the fact that Japanese voters have left him and his ruling coalition without a clear mandate to govern the country. Once he's able to pass the budget bills, Ishiba must resign and allow the Liberal Democratic Party to choose another leader.