Tokyo ? Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi tightened his grip on Japan’s ruling party Saturday, promising to recharge the stalled economy while emerging as a long-lived survivor in the political landscape.

The stylish leader, with his wavy, silver mop top, easily won re-election as president of the staid Liberal Democratic Party and said his reform pledges would propel the party to victory in parliamentary elections.

Koizumi’s win is seen as bolstering his push for tightened spending, deregulation and privatization. But supporters and opponents alike were waiting to see whether the prime minister would stack his Cabinet with like-minded reformists in a reshuffle expected on Monday.

He reportedly plans to keep his top spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, and his economic policy minister, Heizo Takenaka, whose crackdown on banks has been criticized by lawmakers but lauded by foreign investors.

At a news conference to kick off his new three-year term, Koizumi pledged to break with LDP tradition and assemble ministers who are loyal to his policies — not to intra-party factions that traditionally compete for power and pork-barrel privileges.

Koizumi’s re-election strains the old system because he drew support from across the factions.

“Old-style faction politics have fallen apart,” Koizumi said. “This election comes at a time of great change for the party. … This was an election to prove this party is the party of the people, and of promoting reforms.”

Koizumi said he would fill three key party positions today and work on a new lineup for his Cabinet.

Having held the prime minister’s post for 2 1/2 years, Koizumi’s victory cements his role as one of the longest-serving Japanese leaders in the past 25 years. During that time, Japan has had 14 prime ministers.

The LDP president usually serves as prime minister because of the LDP’s dominant role in Parliament.

Koizumi’s popularity with the general public has drawn many LDP lawmakers to his camp, particularly as the party prepares for parliamentary elections in the coming months. Koizumi has the power to call elections for Parliament. He reportedly plans to do so in November.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi raises an arm together with other party members after his re-election as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party at the party headquarters in Tokyo. Koizumi was re-elected Saturday, soundly defeating three challengers with a promise to stand by his efforts to revive Japan's sputtering economy.