Prime Minister Taro Aso said Monday he wants the current Diet session, which is set to close Wednesday, extended by 55 days until the end of July to secure enough time to pass bills related to the ¥14 trillion extra budget for fiscal 2009.

The ruling bloc-dominated Lower House is expected to vote on the extension Tuesday in a move that will likely put off the general election until at least late August.

The Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito bloc got the extra budget, the largest ever, through the Diet last week. But the related bills, which must clear the Diet to carry out the enormous supplementary budget, are still being deliberated in both Diet chambers.