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Tamaki Rules Out Alliance With CDP

TOKYO - The Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki reaffirmed on October 11 that his party will not cooperate with the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) in unifying opposition candidates for the upcoming prime minister designation vote in the next extraordinary Diet session.

Tamaki said, "We cannot work with the current CDP. Our basic policies are fundamentally different." The CDP has been calling on other opposition parties to rally behind a single candidate for the prime minister selection and has reportedly told the Democratic Party for the People that Tamaki himself is a strong contender. However, Tamaki reiterated that his party would not accept the proposal, citing major differences in core policies, including national security and nuclear energy. In response, CDP Secretary-General Jun Azumi pointed out that both parties, along with their largest backer Rengo, had already agreed in April on "basic policies concerning the nation's core principles" and issued a joint statement. "We have already formed a common position, so there is no point in debating what should be done now," Azumi said.

Source: TBS

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