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| Mark Carney Elected Prime Minister of Canada in Historic Vote |
Mark Carney has been elected as Canada's next prime minister, according to projections from CBC/Radio-Canada, following one of the country’s most consequential elections in decades. However, it remains uncertain whether Carney’s Liberal Party will secure the 172 seats required for a majority in parliament, with full results expected late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
The election was widely viewed as a referendum on which candidate was best equipped to confront U.S. President Donald Trump, who had sparked a surge of nationalism across Canada with threats to annex the country and by imposing steep tariffs.
Carney, 60, is a former investment banker who previously served as governor of both the Bank of England during the Brexit crisis and the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial downturn. Although he had no prior political experience before becoming Liberal Party leader in March, his financial expertise and calm demeanor convinced many voters that he was the best candidate to handle Trump’s unpredictable policies.
Carney defeated Pierre Poilievre, the 45-year-old leader of the Conservative Party and a career politician. The result marked a stunning turnaround for Poilievre, whose Conservatives had enjoyed a commanding 27-point lead over the Liberals just a year earlier.
Poilievre's fortunes began to decline in January following the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau, after a decade in office, had become deeply unpopular, and his departure provided a significant boost to the Liberals. Carney’s ascent brought renewed energy to the party.
The decisive turning point, however, came as Trump escalated his attacks on Canada’s economy and sovereignty. Trump's repeated threats — including a social media post on election day suggesting Canada should become the 51st U.S. state — outraged many Canadians and galvanized support for Carney.
Poilievre's alignment with Trump on several issues, though more moderate, ultimately cost him support. His "Canada First" platform, calls for stricter immigration controls, smaller government, and opposition to what right-wing critics label "wokeness" had initially resonated with voters. But as Trump’s rhetoric grew more aggressive, Poilievre’s close association with the U.S. president became a major liability.
This marks the third consecutive federal election loss for the Conservative Party, leading analysts to predict an imminent period of reflection and potential rebranding for the party’s future.