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Abe Cabinet holds last meeting before resigning

16 September 2020
14536
2020-09-16 11:23

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Cabinet resigned, clearing the way for his successor to take over after parliamentary confirmation later on Wednesday. Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, announced last month that he was stepping down because of health problems. Yoshihide Suga, chief Cabinet secretary for Abe's government, was chosen on Monday as the new head of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, virtually guaranteeing his election as prime minister in a parliamentary vote on Wednesday because of the party's majority.

Suga has stressed his background in promising to serve the interests of ordinary people and rural communities. He has said he will pursue Abe's unfinished policies, and that his top priorities will be fighting the coronavirus and turning around an economy battered by the pandemic. He gained the support of party heavyweights and their followers early in the campaign on expectations he would continue Abe's line.  

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