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Canada’s Liberal Party has secured a fourth term, marking a significant political comeback and a defining victory for Mark Carney, a former central banker and newcomer to politics, who is now poised to confront U.S. President Donald Trump.
Late Monday night, the CBC reported that the Liberals had won or were leading in enough constituencies to thwart any rival party from forming a government. The atmosphere at the Liberals’ election night gathering became electric as results from Canada’s Atlantic provinces, along with the populous regions of Quebec and Ontario, rolled in.
At this point, it remains uncertain whether the Liberals will achieve a majority government. If they fall short, Carney’s administration will require cooperation from other parties to pass legislation. Following the narrow victory in the previous federal election, the Liberals leaned on the left-leaning New Democratic Party to advance their agenda.
This win represents a remarkable resurgence for a party previously facing electoral turmoil. Carney succeeds Justin Trudeau, who held the position of prime minister for nearly a decade. However, Trudeau’s tenure ended with mounting challenges, including threats of rebellion within his ranks, internal conflicts, and a disenchanted electorate.
Internal discussions until the end of 2024 within the Liberal Party were dim. Even under the most favorable projections, they only envisioned being able to keep the Conservatives in a minority position. An outright win seemed a distant prospect.
“We were dead and buried in December. Now we are going to form a government,” remarked David Lametti, a former Liberal Justice Minister, in a statement to CTV late Monday. “Thanks to Mark, we have turned this around,” he added.
Trump’s rhetoric, including his provocative suggestions to make Canada the 51st U.S. state and his derogatory remarks about Trudeau, has stirred a strong sentiment of anger and betrayal towards the United States among Canadians.
“The shift in polls was absolutely without precedent,” stated David Coletto, CEO of polling firm Abacus. “The honeymoon phase that followed and the sustained support is also extraordinary. I can’t recall a similar reset in other countries. This transformation hinges on two pivotal factors: the unpopularity of Justin Trudeau and the perceived threat posed by Donald Trump to Canada.”
The Conservatives face a disappointing outcome, especially given their demand for an election for several months. Under the direction of Pierre Poilievre, they were considered likely to form a government after years of seeming dominance.
However, Carney’s emergence as the Liberal leader coincided with Trump’s controversial remarks, leading to a swift decline in the Conservatives’ substantial lead in the polls. The near miss for the Conservatives may lead to a period of reflection and potential discord regarding the party’s future direction.
For Carney, who had initially served as prime minister for merely nine days before calling for a snap election, this decision was pivotal for the party’s legacy. A loss would have left him with the unenviable distinction of being Canada’s shortest-serving prime minister.
“Carney conducted himself exceptionally well; he truly rose to the occasion,” shared Ian Laroque, a volunteer from Carney’s Ottawa district. “He’s not your typical polished politician. But during these turbulent times, he’s the kind of leader we need—especially with an economist at the helm amid an economic crisis.”
Monday’s election was notable for another reason: it marked the first time in nearly 70 years that the two primary parties garnered over 80% of the total vote, highlighting the decline of smaller opposition parties, including the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois.
Source
www.theguardian.com