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2008/11/25
Meeting between Secretary Generals and Committee Chairmen of DPJ & LDP: Debated on Timing for Submitting a Second Supplementary Budget to the Diet
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On the evening of November 25, Secretary General Hatoyama had a meeting with the LDP's Secretary General and Diet Affairs Committee Chairman on the timing for submission of the second supplementary budget to the Diet. During the discussion, the ruling party said that it had decided to postpone the submission of the second supplementary budget to the current Diet session, and submit it during the ordinary session to be convened early next year. Declaring the LDP's decision utterly unacceptable, the DPJ demanded reconsideration and made no answers. Diet Affairs Committee Chair Kenji Yamaoka also attended the meeting.
Speaking to the press after the talk, Hatoyama said that the reason given by the ruling party leaders for the decision to not submit the second supplementary budget to the current Diet session-but to do so at the next year's ordinary Diet session that will be summoned earlier than usual-was that there was not enough time to submit a budget along with trillions of yen worth of supplementary reductions during the current session.
Hatoyama pointed out, "Prime Minister Aso made a promise to the people to take economy-boosting measures. But we have waited long and heard nothing, and if we do not do anything for the economy until next year, then small and medium-sized businesses and families will be in trouble." He also stated [about Prime Minister's economic measures] that making an announcement in October, and then saying a month later that there is not enough time, shows that there never was any intention to do anything during the current session in the first place.
Hatoyama displayed a tough stance against the ruling party, saying, "While they have been saying that they'll take steps for the economy, they have been deceiving the people. It is incredibly disrespectful." He further explained that, as DPJ President Ozawa strongly urged Prime Minister Aso during a meeting between party presidents to keep his word to the people, the DPJ simply could not accept the reason for not submitting the second supplementary budget and demanded the LDP to reconsider, withholding answers to the ruling party.
Hatoyama said the current Diet session "has naturally raised tensions." With important debates remaining on the table such as the bill to revise the new anti-terrorism special measures law and legislation to strengthen financial institutions, the party will continue to debate in order to keep its promise to the people. Arguing that the LDP's attitude cannot be forgiven if it ends the Diet session without submitting a supplementary budget, he explained the DPJ's intention to work hard to get the supplementary budget submitted, and said that, in the case of postponement, the party would act with a view to submit independent bills on economic measures.
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