The Liberal Party of Canada, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, will hold onto power in the country’s federal election, but was it was too soon to say whether they will form a majority government, Canadian media predicted on Monday.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster, said the Liberals will win more of Parliament’s 343 seats than the Conservatives, defeating populist leader Pierre Poilievre. It was not clear yet if the Liberals will win an outright majority, which would allow them to pass legislation without needing help.
The result might not be known for some time and could depend on the westernmost province of British Columbia, where polls closed last.
Monday’s snap election was defined by voter hostility that US President Donald Trump stirred up by repeatedly suggesting Canada should become America’s 51st state.
The results of the election carry substantial weight geopolitically as Canada is the first among the group of industrialised democracies to hold a nationwide vote since Trump put his so-called “reciprocal” tariff regime into effect, in a bid to force trading partners to make concessions and simultaneously pressure companies to manufacture more in America.