総裁選に複数候補出馬を　首相交代に期待にじませる―自民・菅氏

　自民党の菅義偉前首相は２３日の文芸春秋のオンライン番組で、９月に予定される党総裁選について、複数の候補者が出馬し、論争を戦わせるべきだとの考えを示した。岸田文雄首相の政権運営を「（派閥裏金事件の）責任を取らなかった」と批判。一方で石破茂元幹事長ら複数の「ポスト岸田」候補に言及しつつ、誰を推すかは「まだ決めていない」と述べた。総裁選を通じた首相の交代に期待をにじませた形だ。
　菅氏は次期衆院選に関し「与党で過半数を割るような雰囲気がある」と危機感を表明。総裁選について「国民に刷新の考え方を理解してもらう最高の機会だ」と強調した。「新たなリーダーが新たな政策を掲げて出てくるべきか」と問われると、「そう思う」と明言した。
　菅氏は「首相は（裏金事件への）責任に触れずに来ている。そのことへの不信感は結構多い」と厳しく指摘した。（2024/06/23-21:21）

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has hinted his hope that multiple candidates will run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidential race set for September.
   Speaking in an online program of the Bungei Shunju monthly magazine Sunday, Suga criticized Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the LDP's president, for not taking responsibility for the political funds scandal involving party factions.
   Suga said he has not decided who to endorse in the party election, although he mentioned some LDP members who may succeed Kishida, such as former Secretary-General Shigeru Ishiba.
   Suga's remarks are taken to indicate his hope that Kishida will be replaced through the party election.
   "There is an atmosphere hinting that the ruling party may lose its majority" in the next election of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Diet, the country's parliament, Suga said, expressing deep concerns.