Japan's general election: end of one-party rule | 48 comments (48 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Can the DPJ still obtain 321+ seats (4.00 / 2)

The final count is:
DPJ 308: LDP 119

I will become a patissier, God willing.

by tuasfait on Sun Aug 30th, 2009 at 08:51:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can the DPJ still obtain 321+ seats (none / 1)

With 53 for small parties, DPJ missed two-thirds. On the other hand: are there any potential allies if they want to push through some change needing two-thirds?

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 at 01:26:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can the DPJ still obtain 321+ seats (4.00 / 3)

Yes, there are three minor allies.

Social Democrats (former Socialists); 7 seats,
New National Party (those kicked out of LDP for opposition to the postal service privatization); 3
New Japan; 1.

Anyway, with these allies, DPJ will have a majority in the uppoer House too.

I will become a patissier, God willing.

by tuasfait on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 at 02:55:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can the DPJ still obtain 321+ seats (none / 1)

But for two-thirds, they'd need two Independents? Or maybe the Communists.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 at 03:31:34 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can the DPJ still obtain 321+ seats (4.00 / 4)

For two-thirds, yes. Under our constitution, the two-thirds majority is relevant only in the case of (i) two Houses do not agree on a bill, or (ii) a party wants to propose an amendment to the Constitution. Budgets can be passed by a simple majority in the lower House.

With a simple majority in the lower House and a simple majority in the upper House (with these allies), DPJ can now push through its legislative agenda. As for (ii), I do not believe (and I am vehemently against) they will try to amend the constitution.

I will become a patissier, God willing.

by tuasfait on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 at 05:05:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can the DPJ still obtain 321+ seats (4.00 / 2)

The frequency of constitutional amendments/changes varies greatly from country to country -- it appears from your reaction that in Japan, it's very rare and thus more similar to the USA than say Germany. As for reasons a left-wing party could have to change a constitution: (1) the incorporation of some human right, (2) the nullification of some outdated criminalisation, (3) changes in the election system. If no such thing is necessary and/or on the DPJ's agenda, that's good.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 at 07:01:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can the DPJ still obtain 321+ seats (4.00 / 4)

We have Article 9 (Renunciation of War) which is still revolutionary, and I am proud of it. Constitutional amendment discussions in Japan often boil down on this Article

I will become a patissier, God willing.

by tuasfait on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 at 11:37:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can the DPJ still obtain 321+ seats (none / 0)

Ah THAT's the context, then I get it.

I still don't get why American media commentators were afraid of a two-thirds DJP, however...

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 at 11:59:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Can the DPJ still obtain 321+ seats (4.00 / 4)

Because whenever there's a swing to the left they feel compelled to concern-troll.

En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Aug 31st, 2009 at 12:05:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Japan's general election: end of one-party rule | 48 comments (48 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Top Diaries

Ireland 2023 Rugby World Cup Squad selected

Integrating Ukraine Into NATO Family

Leinster's demise and Munster's hope

Southern Irish disinterest in Northern Ireland affairs

Joe Biden. America's Interventionist Hero

Recent Diaries

NATO Stoltenberg Should Resign

NATO Posing the What If Question

Bi-Partisan Effort to Undermine Democracy

June 2023

Ireland 2023 Rugby World Cup Squad selected

Integrating Ukraine Into NATO Family

Southern Irish disinterest in Northern Ireland affairs

Incident Ukrainian War Display Gets Int'l Attention

German Climate Activists Group Outlawed

Leinster's demise and Munster's hope

Joe Biden. America's Interventionist Hero

Targeted Assassinations: a Bankrupt Strategy

Hijacking Peace by Zelensky for War Escalation

UA Drone Attack On Moscow

May 2023

U.S. Provoked Conflict In Europe

U.S. Will Be Ousted From Middle-East

Settler Extremism Blessed by Jerusalem Leaders

Occasional Series