Ruling Liberal Party Makes Stunning Comeback, Wins Canada’s Election

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberal Party won the country’s parliamentary elections, marking a strong political comeback propelled by US threats over tariffs and annexation, even as the party failed to secure a majority, the Associated Press reported Tuesday. 

Elections Canada, which tallies the votes, reported that the Liberals were projected to win 169 out of 343 seats in the lower house, falling short of a majority. The opposition Conservatives were projected to secure 144 seats, with their leader, Pierre Poilievre, losing his own seat in Ontario’s Carleton district.  

The victory marked a dramatic reversal for the Liberals, who had governed for nearly a decade but saw their popularity collapse last year amid growing frustration over the cost of living and other issues. Early polls ahead of Monday’s election had predicted a Conservative landslide in elections originally scheduled for later this year. 

However, the party’s fortunes shifted after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned in January and Carney – a two-time central banker and political newcomer – took the helm two months later. The Liberals were further bolstered by US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Canadian goods and his inflammatory threat to turn Canada into America’s “51st state,” USA Today wrote. 

Trump’s statements sparked a surge of nationalism across Canada, upending years of relative stability between the two neighbors and reshaping the election into a referendum on Canadian sovereignty. 

Carney later called a snap election to be held in April after polls showed Liberals surging in popularity as the Conservatives were seen as too weak in their stance on the US, and unable to stand up to Trump. 

Analysts added that Poilievre’s Trump-style rhetoric further hurt his standing with voters. 

In his victory speech, Carney warned that Trump’s comments are not “idle threats” and called for building stronger ties with Europe, Asia, and other “reliable partners” to reduce Canada’s reliance on the US economy.  

“Our old relationship with the United States, a relationship based on steadily increasing integration, is over,” he said. 

Global leaders swiftly congratulated Carney, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledging to deepen Canada-Europe relations. 

Meanwhile, Poilievre conceded defeat but vowed to hold Carney’s government accountable. 

Despite the win, Carney will face a series of challenges: Without an outright majority, the Liberals will need support from smaller parties like the New Democratic Party and the Greens to pass legislation. Those parties are projected to secure 22 seats and one seat, respectively. He must also address the cost-of-living crisis and negotiate new trade arrangements amid rising tensions with the US.  

Observers told the Washington Post that Canada’s election could signal a broader shift against Trump-aligned politicians globally. While right-wing populists gained ground in countries like Austria and France last year, Canada appeared to buck that trend after months of political turbulence, and Australia is expected to do so over the weekend.