Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party signed a coalition agreement on Monday, ending a severe political deadlock and paving the way for Sanae Takaiishi to become the country’s first female prime minister.

Speaking to reporters, co-leader of the reformist right-wing Innovation Party, Hirofumi Yoshimura, said: “We will sign an agreement today to form a coalition government, and it will be officially concluded  according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Under the agreement, the opposition Innovation Party joins forces with the LDP, currently in power, following a political crisis triggered by the collapse of the party’s traditional coalition with its smaller centrist ally, Komeito.