Politics Prime Minister Carney's Liberals win Canadian general election
Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party has won the Canadian general election. His challenger Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party, conceded defeat and congratulated Carney on his victory. According to official results early this morning (local time), Carney's governing party received 43.2 percent of the vote after around 95 percent of polling stations had been counted, while the Conservatives received 41.7 percent. The Liberals are therefore expected to win 166 seats in parliament - leaving them just short of an absolute majority of 172.
29.04.2025, 08:24
29.04.2025, 08:25
SDA
In his victory speech in the capital Ottawa, Carney said: "Let's put an end to the division and anger of the past. We are all Canadians, and my government will work for and with everyone." Together we will build a Canada worthy of its values. "Canada strong, Canada free, Canada forever."
Poilievre said his defeated Conservative Party would "do its job and hold the government to account" in opposition.
The parliamentary election was under pressure from aggressive tariff policies and annexation threats from US President Donald Trump. On election day, Trump had once again called on Canadians to agree to become the 51st state in the USA.
This is the fourth parliamentary election in a row that the Canadian Liberals have won, which is very unusual in the history of the G7 country. Around 29 million people were called to vote in the USA's northern neighbor and the second largest country in the world in terms of area with six time zones. The members of parliament are elected by direct vote.
Conservatives seemed to have an unassailable lead - but then came Trump
Liberal economist Carney had only taken over the posts of party leader and prime minister a few weeks ago following an internal party vote by Justin Trudeau, who had announced his retirement at the beginning of the year after around ten years in office due to declining popularity. Carney was also elected to parliament for the first time.
Trump's interference had completely turned the election campaign in Canada on its head: For a long time, the opposition Conservatives had a seemingly unassailable lead in the polls, but Canadians moved closer together in their opposition to Trump and now predominantly rallied behind Carney.
Experienced crisis manager versus "Canada First" candidate
The 60-year-old has national and international crisis experience. During the financial crisis, the Alberta-born politician headed the Canadian central bank from 2008. Between 2013 and 2020, Carney was head of the UK's central bank during the turbulent Brexit phase and then UN Special Envoy for Climate Action until January of this year. He advocates closer cooperation with Europe and Asia in order to reduce trade dependency on the USA. According to surveys, most Canadians believe Carney is the most likely to stand up to Trump.
The political style of conservative frontrunner Poilievre, on the other hand, is clearly reminiscent of Trump. The 45-year-old, who stands for low taxes and cuts in government spending, also spoke of fake news, a woke ideology of radical left-wing forces and promised to always put Canada first - "Canada First". That went down well for a long time - but then came Trump.
Election also influenced by fatal car crash in Vancouver
Other key campaign issues included the sharp rise in the cost of living, rising rents, access to affordable housing, healthcare and migration.
The election also took place in the wake of a tragic incident in the west coast metropolis of Vancouver at the weekend: A man drove a car into a crowd of people at a Filipino community street party, killing at least eleven people. A 30-year-old suspect was arrested. The police were convinced that it was not an act of terrorism.
