Anyone want to lead us?

Looks like the DPJ is hunting for a leader and no one wants to take the responsibility. It certainly would be a challenge given the absolute crater left among their MPs after losses from the election. Still, there’s got to be at least one politician out there who wants for a shot at power. Time will tell.

民主、２２日の代表 選延期＝細野氏は不 出馬の意向

野田佳彦首相の民主党代表辞任表明を受 け、同党は１９日午後、党本部で両院議員 総会を開催した。執行部が党大会に代わる 両院総会を２２日に開いて次期代表を選出 することを提案したが、衆院選の総括を優 先すべきだとの意見が相次ぎ、輿石東幹事 長が代表選の延期を表明した。 一方、細野豪志政調会長は１９日、代表 選に出馬しない意向を固め、自らに近い議 員に「執行部の一員として衆院選大敗の責 任は免れない」と伝えた。党内で待望論が 広がっていた細野氏が現時点で立候補を見 送る意向を固めたことで、代表選びが難航 する可能性もある。 執行部は両院総会後、両院議員に衆院選 の全候補者と都道府県連代表者を交えた懇 談会を２２日に開き、選挙総括を行うこと を決定。２２日の懇談会では、２６日の首 相指名選挙の前に次期代表を選出するかど うかを含めて協議する。
［時事通信社］
http://jp.wsj.com/article/JJ1021843757724415346561912605 5401557698013.html

DPJ – Leadership election on 22nd postponed –Hosono does not want to run

Upon receiving the announcement from Prime Minister Yoshihiro Noda that he was stepping down from party leadership, the Democratic Party of Japan held a general session of the party’s MPs from both houses at party headquarters. The party executives recommended that another session of the party’s MPs, rather than a general party meeting, be held on the 22nd to elect the next party leader but many voices called for prioritizing a reflection on the Lower House election so chief party secretary Azuma Koshiishi announced that the leadership vote would be postponed.

On the one hand, policy chief Goushi Hosono confirmed his intention not to run in the leadership race on the 19th , explaining to MPs close to him that “As a member of party leaderhip, I cannot escape my responsibility for our party’s huge defeat in the Lower House elections.” With the much anticipated candidacy of Hosono now confirmed, there is the possibility of not being able to find another leader.

After the meeting of party MPs, party leadership will hold a gathering of party MPs, candidates from the Lower House elections, and leaders of all prefectural party chapters on the 22nd and plan to discuss at this meeting whether or not to elect the next party leader prior to the election for prime minister scheduled for the 26th.