Kaneie was seen as being very likely to gain the position of Kanpaku (chief advisor to the emperor) after Koretada, but his older brother Kanemichi gained the position by the will of Chugu Anshi.
伊尹の後任の関白には兼家が有力だったが、中宮安子の遺言によってその兄の兼通が任じられた。