Liberal Party Emerges Victorious in Canadian General Election

The Liberal Party has emerged victorious in the Canadian general election, giving former central banker and incumbent PM Mark Carney a mandate to govern. This stunning turnaround in fortunes comes after his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, experienced a decline in popularity.

Carney's gamble of triggering an early election fell short of securing the majority he sought. The Liberal Party secured about 43.6% of the national vote, leading in 168 of the 172 seats needed for a majority in the House of Commons. This outcome means the government will need to collaborate with other parties to pass budgets and legislation.

Under the tightest scenarios, the Bloc Quebecois, which runs candidates only in French-speaking Quebec, might hold the balance of power. The NDP, with seven seats, could also be involved depending on the final tally for the Liberals.

The victory speech by Carney in Ottawa emphasized the importance of Canadian unity, stating, "We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Carney for his party's victory, highlighting the shared democratic values and commitment to the rule of law between the two countries.

Relations between Ottawa and New Delhi have been strained since Carney's predecessor, Trudeau, accused Indian officials in September 2023 of orchestrating the killing of Sikh activist and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Since Carney took office in March, both sides have taken steps to ease tensions and enhance cooperation to counter US President Donald Trump's tariff threats.