Opposition Party to Chair Budget Committee for the First Time in 30 Years
In a historic move, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) will appoint one of its Lower House members as chairman of the Budget Committee. This marks the first time in 30 years that an opposition party will hold this key Diet post.
The agreement between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the CDP came after the LDP and its coalition partner, Komeito, lost their majority in the October 27 Lower House election. The CDP, the largest opposition party, plans to appoint former Diet affairs chief Jun Azumi as Budget Committee chairman.
The Budget Committee plays a crucial role in national politics, deliberating not only the government's budget proposals but also any other issue of national importance. All Cabinet ministers attend Budget Committee sessions, offering opportunities for members to question ministers over scandals and demand the prime minister's responses.
With a chairman from an opposition party overseeing the proceedings, the ruling parties will be unable to suspend deliberations or force draft budgets and other measures to a vote. The CDP plans to leverage the chairman's authority to investigate the LDP's fund-raising scandal and advance political and Diet reform.
In addition to the Budget Committee, the Lower House has 17 standing committees. The LDP and CDP have agreed that eight of these committees will be chaired by LDP lawmakers and six by CDP lawmakers. Members of Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), the Democratic Party for the People, and Komeito will chair one each of the remaining committees.
Opposition Lower House members are also expected to serve as chairman of the Commission on the Constitution and chairman of the special committee on political reform.
The special Diet session, which will open on November 11, will close in four days on the condition that an extraordinary Diet session will be convened at an early date.