New Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has called a snap election to take place on 28 April, as he seeks to capitalise on a surge of support galvanised by the threat of Donald Trump.
The former Bank of England governor, who assumed the premiership a fortnight ago after his Liberal ally Justin Trudeau stepped down, now has five weeks to persuade the country to continue backing his party after 10 years in power.
Although the next election was not due until 20 October, the previously under-fire Liberal Party have seen a remarkable resurgence in the polls since January, when Trump began threatening Canada and Mr Trudeau announced his resignation.
Announcing the snap poll, Mr Carney said on Sunday: “We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump’s unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty.
“There is so much more to do to secure Canada. To invest in Canada, to build Canada, to unite Canada. That’s why I’m asking for a strong positive mandate from my fellow Canadians.”
Polls suggest the Liberals, who had badly trailed the official opposition Conservatives at the start of the year, are now slightly ahead of their rivals – who have sought to portray Mr Carney as an elitist who plans to continue the Trudeau-era policy of high government spending.
As a two-time central banker, Mr Carney has no previous political or election experience. In contrast, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is a seasoned politician who has fought seven elections.
And with a strong performance in predominantly French-speaking Quebec key to any victory, Mr Poilievre speaks flawless French, while Mr Carney recently stumbled at a press conference when asked to respond in French, misunderstanding the question before then responding in English.
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